'More died in SA than Lebanon'
18/08/2006
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_1984558,00.html
Cape Town - Official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Douglas
Gibson said it was remarkable that the South African parliament was able to
debate the Middle East situation at a drop of a hat - and Intelligence Minister
Ronnie Kasrils and Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille could
call for sanctions against Israel - but there was no debate about the report of
parliament's election observer mission to the troubled Zimbabwe.
He said: "People are rightly horrified at the appalling tragedy of Qana,
and Mr Kasrils and the Honourable De Lille call for sanctions against Israel. But they stay silent about 700 000 victims of Operation Murambatsvina - Operation
clear up the Trash - in Zimbabwe. Why no demonstrations and why no sanctions
there?"
Gibson said: "The world was shocked at the loss of life in the 34 days of
the war, with 1 110 killed. In those 34 days in South Africa 1 750 people were
murdered, at a rate of 51 per day.
"Those who express concern and outrage at these violent crimes are accused
of being whingers and are invited to leave the country. Where the government
and Minister Kasrils have the power to act, they do not."
Unprecedented anti-Americanism
He reacted after South Africa's deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad told parliamentarians
on Thursday afternoon that Israel's action in the Middle East had triggered
"unprecedented anti-Americanism" and restiveness on the streets even
of moderate Arab states in the region.
Noting that the international community now needed to resolve the situation
which had led to the destruction of most of Lebanon's infrastructure, he said:
"I want to warn that the potential for increased terrorism is great today
than it has ever been."
Initiating the debate in the National Assembly on the situation in the Middle
East, Pahad said there was a feeling among moderate governments in the region
that Israel's actions had threatened "their very existence".
"We are now faced with situation where hatred is unprecedented in the
region," said Pahad.
The reaction of Israel to the capture of two soldiers by Hezbollah had been
disproportionate, he said.
He said a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine - behind secure borders
for both - was the key to peace in the region.