DA MP Ghaleb Cachalia is expected to be hauled over the coals for his anti-Israeli comments when the party’s parliamentary caucus meets on Thursday.
TimesLIVE Premium has learnt that Cachalia’s comments have angered some DA leaders who believe he jumped the gun and went against party instruction barring MPs from making public comments until a position on the war has been formulated.
This after Cachalia tweeted on Tuesday that he “will not be silenced” and that “Israel is committing genocide”.
The party’s caucus, this publication understands, decided last week that an updated policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict must be formulated that will guide how its MPs react and respond to the conflict.
Cachalia was daring the party, an insider said.
While we recognise the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, we equally recognise the right of the Israeli state to defend herself and her people
— DA
“What is really annoying is him saying, 'I will not be silenced', so he’s basically daring the party. He will be dealt with in caucus,” said a DA insider.
So far, DA statements have been condemning Hamas and saying the Israeli government has a right to defend itself.
The party said it supports the proposal for a two-state solution.
“While we recognise the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, we equally recognise the right of the Israeli state to defend herself and her people,” the party said.
Cachalia’s comments are viewed by some in the DA as going against the party position and the “gag” order given in caucus until a policy is formulated. Cachalia disagrees, telling TimesLIVE Premium the DA has not taken any stance on the matter and that he stood by his views.
“The party does not have a specific position on evolving issues and as such this is my personal view. The party’s overarching position is not dissimilar to that of the ANC, which supports a two-state solution. A return to pre-1967 borders and that addresses the right of return,” he said.
DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi said the party was concerned about the remarks made by Cachalia.
“It is remarkable that Mr Cachalia saw fit to ventilate his opinions in this manner when this matter was discussed in great detail at last week’s caucus wherein everyone, including Mr Cachalia, expressed their views,” said Malatsi.
“It is selfish to act this way when the caucus agreed on a process where everyone will have the opportunity to make their contributions towards our policy formulation on the issue.”
The South African government denounced the Israeli government for its attacks on civilians.
The governing ANC made its position clear, taking a pro-Palestine stance.
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