IS SOUTH AFRICA CASHING IN FROM GAZA WAR

South Africa is being accused of using one hand to fight Israel's military onslaught on Gaza while using the other hand to count the money it is cashing in from supplying Tel Aviv with coal, some of which is believed to be powering the death and destruction.

According to the Lancet medical journal, by early July, the IDF’s military assault had killed more than 186,000 people. Since October 2023, South Africa has shipped more than half a million tonnes of coal to Israel.

South Africa is currently Israel’s second-largest supplier of coal, and Tel Aviv uses it to generate a significant portion of its electricity. Some of this electricity is used to power military bases and installations that are enabling the onslaught in Gaza.

Given South Africa's well-publicised stance against Israel's indiscriminate bombardment and starvation of Palestinians, many say the country's decision to continue with coal exports reeks of hypocrisy.

In response, the South African government says the exports are conducted by the private sector, which operates independently of the state’s foreign policy. But activists point to the example of Colombia, which slapped a ban on coal exports to Israel in August.

Is South Africa trying to have its cake and eat it?

Sources:
https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-country/zaf/partner/isr

https://groundup.org.za/article/glencore-urged-to-stop-selling-coal-to-israel/

https://mediadon.co.za/2024/08/22/cosatu-supports-the-call-on-glencore-to-stop-sending-coal-to-israel-fuelling-apartheid-and-genocide-is-a-crime/

https://www.newarab.com/news/south-africa-urged-end-israel-trade-after-new-icj-submission

https://mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2024-11-20-sa-accused-of-double-standards-for-selling-coal-to-israel-while-condemning-genocide-in-gaza/