MORAL courage is uncommon because it is difficult. Unwarranted physical violence against the weaker, is easy and immoral. That is why by the act of taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in one fell swoop South Africa has enhanced its global stature and respect. Regardless of the verdict and when, Israel has been compelled to give an account of its actions to the world.
There is poetic justice in it being South Africa rather than a ‘superpower’ or a western democracy, that threw down the gauntlet in cause of justice. It knows by lived experience, the persecution that Palestinians live in since 1948. It also knows first-hand the travails of Ghetto existence, not unlike the experience of the Jews before 1948. South Africa shares common ground with both parties in the conflict. Who better to recognize the victim and the tormentor? The present day South Africa, wrung through violence, discrimination and slavery, is a phoenix arisen from the ashes. The current day Israel espoused all the wrong lessons from its past, becoming a wrong ’un’.
While the indisputably ‘democratic and civilized’ countries practiced real politik, carefully vacillated, measuring their interests and conveniences, South Africa stood on principle. It may not boast the fire-power or wealth of those who waver, yet it is well versed in overcoming material strength by moral courage and espousing a just cause. After all, it is not too long ago, that its brave people stood up to an empire and its relic government to reclaim their independence. Therefore, it is not surprising that South Africa took up the cause of the Palestinians, as if it was their own. By contrast, the “guardians” of the free world were as good as paralyzed under the weight of their conflicting interests and shackled by the misdeeds in their past. Inaction laid bare their wavering resolve, that seemed to blow with the wind. But, why not take care of one’s own interests first and foremost? Actions on the basis of self-interest, at best may achieve their narrowly defined objective, to the detriment of much more. The benefits of a just and principled stand extend well beyond the cause that instigated it.
Almost as a matter of habit and intellectual laziness, the western leaders declared their allegiance to Israel long past its ‘best before’ date. They appear blinded to the human catastrophe that a vengeful Israel is wreaking on hapless Palestinians; a collective punishment and blood lust that seemingly can be quenched only by the extermination or expulsion of the entire Palestinian people. Inconveniently, the ordinary people in their countries, including Jews, called a spade a spade. Perhaps, fearing a reckoning at the ballot box, along came some mealy- mouthed recrimination of the maraud.
With their well-practiced charge of anti-Semitism, Israel knows how to send the “leaders” making an attempt at showing some spine, cowering back where they came from. Perhaps, Israel has protested too much. At least amongst the general public, this charge wielded like blackmail, no longer seems uniformly effective. Israel tried it on South Africa too, accusing it to be anti-Semitic and in cahoots with Hamas a “terrorist organization”. The problem is that as recently as 2008, Nelson Mandela and ANC were considered terrorist (by the US Government). The criteria to be deemed terrorist includes armed or violent resistance. By the same criteria, the US War of Independence was a terrorist endeavour!
South Africa is not intimidated into silence or retreat by Israel because faith itself, no matter which, does not inoculate its followers against doing wrong. A large portion of Jews in South Africa found nothing wrong with apartheid. Those who did, were shunned by the body that claimed to speak for the majority of Jews. It was Percy Yutar, South Africa’s Jewish Attorney-General, who sent Nelson Mandela to jail. Israel had a close military alliance with South Africa’s apartheid regime. Using offense as the best defence, it loudly accuses South Africa of wrongs perpetrated by itself. Yet, Israel has no standing to accuse.
Those who saw it, can attest to the glorious presentation by South Africa. It was a confident presentation imbued by the colours and culture of South Africa, not hesitant in speaking up themselves and summoning the best in the world to fight in Palestine’s corner. They went toe to toe and were not cowered. The country paid little heed to Warren Goldstein, South Africa’s Chief rabbi, who accused South Africa of acting as “Iran’s ally and proxy in the Islamic State’s plan to destroy the Jewish State”. Nor was South Africa swayed by its Jewish Board of Deputies declaring that the country was humiliating itself in the international arena. The same organization, that had supported apartheid government and routinely voted down anti-apartheid resolutions. It is curious, the common machinations of religiously-based organizations. Jamaat-e-Islami and its founder Abul Ala Maududi had actively opposed the partition and creation of Pakistan. Now the party goes storming about as if it were their brainchild and intended as a theocracy, never mind what Mr. Jinnah declared. I digress.
Returning to South Africa championing Palestine’s cause, it has emerged as the world’s knight for justice. By approaching the ICJ, it increased the credence of the body and blunted the machinations of a few nations who seek to render it and the United Nations Organization impotent. It also gave voice to the popular global opinion. On the other hand, the so-called global powers find themselves procrastinating, stymied and ineffectual. So, arise South Africa!
—The writer is a neurosurgeon based in Michigan, US.
Email: khan@sasktel.net
views expressed are writer’s own.
