Pressure is mounting on Parliament to investigate a recent trip to Israel by nine Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), as outrage grows over the visit’s timing and lack of transparency.
According to IOL, the MPs’ so-called “fact-finding” trip has sparked controversy over possible violations of South Africa’s foreign policy and ethics.
The visit, revealed by Good Party MP Brett Herron, included meetings with Israeli authorities — raising concerns that it contradicts South Africa’s pro-Palestine stance and opposition to Israeli apartheid.
The Media Review Network (MRN) and the African National Congress (ANC) study group on international relations and cooperation have both called for formal action.
The trip coincided with South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), prompting allegations that the MPs may have acted in contradiction to the state’s diplomatic position.
[LISTEN] Executive Member at the Media Review Network, Dr. Ahmed Jazbhay says previously visits to Israel by the DA and PA were classified as private, but the ICJ case is still pending
?https://t.co/KsWcoV5yDa#sabcnews #FirstTakeSA pic.twitter.com/ueMixZKoJt
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) April 11, 2025
According to reports, the MRN, a watchdog on human rights and foreign policy, described the trip as “controversial” and demanded an investigation into who funded the delegation and what its objectives were.
MRN executive member Dr Ahmed Jazbhay told SABC News Radio that although previous visits by opposition members were labelled private, this one “cannot be viewed as business-as-usual” given the international legal context.
The ANC study group has now announced it will write to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, requesting that the nine MPs be summoned to explain their actions.
Chairperson Supra Mahumapelo said the visit appeared to be a “one-sided fact-finding mission” that falsely implied endorsement by Parliament.
“Everybody knows what Israel is doing – committing genocide against the people of Palestine,” said Supra, according to SABC News.
“Everybody has got the right to go anywhere in the world; they can go, but let them not create an impression that they are there to represent the Parliament of South Africa.”
MRN demands probe into DA and PA’s controversial Israel trip amid ICJ case
The Media Review Network (MRN) has called for an investigation into a recent visit to Israel by members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Patriotic Alliance (PA), describing the trip as controversial… pic.twitter.com/Mrq1mNNshD
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 10, 2025
The South African government filed its case at the ICJ in January 2024, accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide in Gaza. Hearings remain ongoing, and South Africa has consistently called for an end to hostilities and justice for Palestinians.
Meanwhile, according to IOL, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said that the department was unaware of the visit, adding that oversight of MPs’ actions falls under the jurisdiction of the Speaker of Parliament, as Parliament functions independently from the executive.
“Parliament operates as an independent branch of the State. The actions and responsibilities of MPs fall under the jurisdiction of the Speaker’s office,” Chrispin said.
The MRN says it will also petition Parliament to launch a multi-party inquiry into the trip’s funding, goals, and whether it violated parliamentary protocol.
First published by Cape {town} etc
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