South African Islamic Parties and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Reactions to the War in Gaza

Since the beginning of military operations launched by the Israeli occupying army under the name “Iron Swords”—following the October 7, 2023, attack (Al-Aqsa Flood) carried out by Palestinian resistance in response to racist practices of occupation and attempts to Judaize the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as repeated assaults by settlers—the number of Palestinian civilian casualties and injuries has risen to tens of thousands.

As a result, South Africa filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice in December 29, 2023, against Israel, accusing it of genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip, marking a historic precedent. South Africa also summoned the Israeli ambassador in protest against what it described as the “regrettable behavior associated with the war on Gaza.” In early November, South Africa recalled all its diplomats from Israel and called for the United Nations to deploy a rapid international force to protect civilians in Gaza, while demanding temporary protective measures for the Palestinians. On January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice issued a ruling endorsing a set of interim measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, requiring Israel to comply immediately.

The court also requested Israel to submit a report within a month regarding the measures it had taken and to take immediate steps to improve the humanitarian situation and prevent further destruction in the region. However, the conditions continued to deteriorate, with killings and destruction of residential neighborhoods and aspects of life in Gaza persisting. The specter of famine began to emerge, prompting the UN rapporteur to state in her report regarding Gaza:

“It is time to act to prevent genocide. Other countries must apply political pressure on the warring parties to implement the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. These countries should use their influence to insist that Israel comply with the resolution, including halting bombardment and lifting restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid. They must impose a comprehensive arms embargo on all parties to the conflict and pressure Hamas and other armed groups to free all civilian hostages” (1).

The report was published two months after the International Court’s decision, which warned of a credible risk of genocide occurring in the region.

Aspects of the Genocide War

The government media office announced in a press statement entitled “Scary Humanitarian Numbers and Statistics” that 70% of the population of the Gaza Strip (2.2 million people) have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to the bombardment and Israeli airstrikes. The statement confirmed that the Gaza Strip has been bombarded with a thousand tons of explosives, averaging 82 tons per square kilometer, indicating that about 2% of the total population of the region has turned into direct victims of this aggression—either martyrs or injured. Moreover, it was clarified in the statement that there is one injury recorded every minute, a martyr every four minutes, a child martyr every ten minutes, and a female martyr every twelve minutes (1).

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor also indicated that the per capita share of explosives resulting from continuous Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip exceeds ten kilograms (2).

Below are some acts of aggression committed by the occupation in the Gaza Strip:

Targeting the Health Sector

Most hospitals in the region have become non-operational after more than seventy days into the aggression, due to targeted bombardment and destruction caused by the occupation, ceasing ambulance services, and destroying schools and infrastructure across the region, leading to the displacement of 85% of Gazans, according to UNRWA. Moreover, the occupying forces have bulldozed the tents of displaced persons in front of Kamal Adwan Hospital before withdrawing, burying dozens of the displaced, patients, and injured individuals alive inside the hospital and its vicinity (3).

Mass Graves

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor documented more than one hundred and twenty random mass graves in the Gaza Strip’s provinces for burying the martyrs of Israeli aggression.

The report stated, “People in the region resorted to creating random mass graves in residential neighborhoods, yards, roads, wedding halls, and sports fields due to the difficulty of accessing regular cemeteries.”

Additionally, bodies of Palestinian martyrs were observed decaying in the streets of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, where families were unable to bury them due to the intensity of Israeli bombardment, and ambulance and civil defense vehicles could not reach them. Moreover, other testimonials reported bodies left in the streets with dogs gnawing at parts of them (4).

The Israeli occupying forces committed numerous massacres against civilians in Gaza, including (5):

The Flour Mill Massacre

Approximately one hundred and twelve Palestinians were martyred, and around eight hundred others injured in a massacre committed by the occupation forces named the “Flour Mill Massacre” at the end of February 2024, when the forces targeted a large group of Palestinians during their assembly for assistance at the Al-Nabulsi Roundabout.

The Tribal Committees Massacre

The occupation forces also bombed the tribal committees that were securing the distribution of aid at the Al-Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City, resulting in the martyrdom of at least twenty-three Palestinians.

These attacks followed the intervention of several tribal leaders and civil society organizations in the region, demanding security be provided for humanitarian aid convoys.

Despite the International Court of Justice’s order for the Israeli entity to immediately cease its attack on Rafah in southern Gaza and to open the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid, in addition to the immediate and unconditional release of prisoners (6), the occupation persists in its genocidal operations. Furthermore, famine has resurfaced in northern Gaza, home to approximately seven hundred thousand residents, due to a severe shortage of food and vegetables, caused by the ongoing blockade and the failure of trucks to reach the north (7).

Results of This War from Statistical Realities

Statistics concerning the genocide war waged by the Israeli occupation against Gaza represent one of the most significant quantitative indicators reflecting the scale of the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in the region. These tragic numbers highlight an analytical tool that illustrates the extent of destruction and human and material losses suffered by Palestinians due to aggression. The following table presents the statistics reported in the Hamas government media report issued on July 27, 2024 (8):

Statistics on the Israeli Genocide War on the Gaza Strip

Source: Hamas government media office, report issued on July 27, 2024 (8).

Thus, it can be said that accusing Israel of committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is based on ample and substantiated evidence, supported by the decisions of the International Court of Justice, even though it has not yet issued a final ruling. Among these pieces of evidence is the Court’s request to cease the ongoing operations in Rafah, and previously its demand for measures to protect civilians.

On the other hand, it is evident that Israeli racism has far exceeded what happened in South Africa during the apartheid era, as it has involved the destruction of all aspects of life in Gaza, as shown in the table above.

Positions of Islamic Political Parties on the Israeli War on Gaza after the “Al-Aqsa Flood” Operation

Muslims in South Africa have endured severe and prolonged suffering under the rule of the Dutch colonialists, who occupied the country; they were prevented from practicing their religious rites publicly and struggled hard to be able to bury their dead according to Islamic law. They were also barred from calling to Islam, with those who did facing the death penalty, while those entering Christianity faced no such prohibitions (9).

During the apartheid era, Muslims, regardless of their affiliations, fought against the policies of the racist regime, with notable figures emerging such as Abdullah Abdurahman and Goolam Gool from the coloured community, and Fatima Meer and Yusuf Dadoo from the Indian community (10). After the political shift in 1994, South Africa’s constitution enshrined freedom of religious practice, and laws fully protected this right from both governmental and private entities (11). Laws also prohibit the government from unfairly discriminating based on religion directly or indirectly against anyone, specifying that individuals belonging to religious denominations cannot be deprived of practicing their religious rites or forming and joining religious associations. Discrimination cases can be brought before the Constitutional Court, with senior government officials and ruling party members belonging to diverse religions. In 2000, the government passed the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act) (12).

On the political scene in South Africa, Islamic political parties such as the Al Jama-Ah Party and the Cape Muslim Congress emerged. Recent updates clarify these parties’ positions on the 2023 Gaza War, based on the sanctity of Palestine due to the presence of Al-Aqsa Mosque and regarding it as an issue of the Islamic nation. Furthermore, these positions evoke memories of the severe injustices suffered by Muslims in South Africa, whether from slavery and extreme injustices during the Dutch period or from apartheid and its policies, especially the collaboration between the apartheid regime and Israel, which affected all non-white communities.

As for other parties, such as the African Muslim Party, the Islamic Unity Conference, and the Shura Party, no updates or information have been available since 2006. Therefore, the study will focus solely on the positions of the Al Jama-Ah and Cape Muslim Congress parties.

Position of Al Jama-Ah Party on the Gaza War since October 2023

The Al Jama-Ah Party, led by Mohamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks, was established in South Africa in 2007, after the end of apartheid and the political transition in 1994. The liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the party’s main objectives, and it strived within the South African Parliament to issue a resolution condemning the Israeli occupation of Palestine, which was achieved when the parliament approved this resolution (13).

The Al Jama-Ah Party believes that what is happening in Gaza constitutes genocide amounting to a holocaust. The party’s leader in parliament stated that “millions of South African citizens who love democracy hate and detest the inhumane acts committed by Israel against thousands of unarmed Palestinian civilians,” emphasizing the importance of solidarity with the Palestinians. He added, “We remember the role played by the Palestinians and the Western Sahara people in bringing weapons like tanks to South Africa from Libya to support our armed struggle against oppression” (15).

Regarding its stance on Palestinian resistance, the party supports the armed struggle carried out by Palestinian resistance movements, particularly Hamas, viewing it as akin to the path taken by the African National Congress and other liberation movements that fought against apartheid. Consequently, the party calls on the South African government to provide support and resources to Palestinian liberation movements to defend their people and land against the “apartheid state” (16). It also advocates arming Palestinian women to empower them to defend themselves, highlighting the necessity to prevent a recurrence of the tragedies that occurred in Bosnia, where men could not protect women during the genocide (17).

In terms of its general positions on the Palestinian cause, the Al Jama-Ah Party called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the provision of urgent medical convoys to assist the injured in Gaza, and the end of discussions around the two-state solution, which has been used as a pretext for atrocities against the Palestinians, while demanding the opening of borders and the entry of quality aid. The party affirmed the importance of South Africa cutting its trade with the Israeli occupation and imposing economic sanctions on it. It has also demanded that all South African citizens serving in the Israeli Defense Forces be prosecuted, and that all those involved in crimes against the Palestinians be held accountable at the International Criminal Court (18).

In conclusion, the Al Jama-Ah Party stressed the importance of supplying the Palestinian resistance with weapons, continuing dialogue, and exchanging information regarding the Palestinian cause, to voice every child, elder, woman, and man in Palestine. It also called for the return of land to its rightful Palestinian owners, affirming that these positions stem from the party’s belief in the justice of the Palestinian cause and the necessity of standing against the occupation.

Its Position in Parliament and Role in Supporting the Palestinian Cause

The leader of the Al Jama-Ah Party, Janief Hendricks, took the initiative in parliament to address many issues related to the ongoing genocide being committed against the Palestinians. The party demanded the expulsion of the “illegal” Israeli ambassador, voting in favor of this measure. Hendricks expressed concerns in parliament on the occasion of World Children’s Day, stating that “instead of the slogan (Every Child, Every Right), there are thousands of children in Palestine being slaughtered, suffering, and deprived of these rights.”

Hendricks also clarified that Palestinians were partners in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, saying: “We do not forget the role played by the Palestinians and the inhabitants of Western Sahara in bringing weapons, such as tanks and more, to South Africa via Libya to assist in our armed struggle against oppression” (19).

On a grassroots level, the party actively participated in organizing and attending numerous marches, awareness programs, and protests across South Africa in solidarity with Palestine. It also worked on raising awareness about the Palestinian cause through social media and contributing to aid for Gaza (20).

The party emphasized that solidarity with Palestine is not just a moral duty but an expression of gratitude. One of its members stated: “Palestine was one of the countries that helped South Africa, using all available resources, despite the blockade imposed by the very apartheid regime we suffered from in South Africa. They brought us everything they had, and we will not forget them during our liberation. Therefore, supporting them is a matter of principle” (21).

The party and its members take pride in being South Africans who struggled against apartheid; however, they view the plight of the Palestinians as more severe. The party states: “The Palestinian struggle against apartheid is different; they are being bombed, with no water, electricity, or healthcare services. What is happening is not war; it is complete oppression” (22).

The party calls upon all people who love justice and freedom to support solidarity campaigns in aid of the Palestinians in their struggle to expel the occupiers and settlers from their land. The party affirmed that the world should not forget the violent terrorist acts committed by Zionists against Palestinians since before 1948. The party believes that what is happening now is not new but an extension of a long history of crimes (23).

Its Position on Israel

External Level: The Al Jama-Ah Party views the Zionists and their allies worldwide as having reached the lowest levels of human ethics with their disgraceful position toward what is happening in Palestine. The party accuses these allies of disrespecting universal human values and deliberately ignoring Palestinian rights (24).

Consequently, the Al Jama-Ah Party calls for stringent action against Israel, urging people who love justice and freedom to continue their solidarity and unwavering support for the Palestinians. The party raises the slogan reflecting its position: “Let us all stand against Zionism wherever it raises its head!” (25).

Internal Level: Domestically, the party condemned five political parties, namely: the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Patriotic Alliance (PA), the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Congress of the People (COPE), and the Freedom Front Plus, for receiving funding from Zionist companies. The party believes that these parties prefer silence regarding Israeli crimes for fear of losing financial support from these companies (26).

The leader of the Al Jama-Ah Party, who is a member of the South African Parliament, asserted the need to warn members of these political parties that their behavior must align with UN resolutions. The party indicated the necessity of implementing a binding order that prevents support for the settlements and settlers, emphasizing that they should not be regarded as civilians but as legitimate fighters.

Its Position on the Palestinian Authority

The Al Jama-Ah Party calls on the President of the Palestinian Authority to seriously reconsider his policies towards Israeli Zionism. The party believes that the PA’s support for Zionism has harmed not only Muslims but also millions of Christians. The party affirmed that the people of South Africa, regardless of their religions, support justice for all, including the Palestinian people (27).

Its Position on the Government and Ruling Party’s Support for Palestinians in the Genocide War

The Al Jama-Ah Party praised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s position and the National Election Commission for their unprecedented support for the Palestinian cause. The party views this position as fundamentally different from that of the opposition parties, which have shamelessly supported Israel while ignoring the fact that it is an oppressive occupying power committing genocide against Palestinians for over seventy-five years, with indirect support from the United Nations (28).

The party also sharply criticized the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) for condemning President Ramaphosa’s support for the Palestinians. It affirmed that this position has incited hatred against Palestinian Muslims and Christians and demonstrated a lack of empathy for Palestinian Christians suffering from Zionist oppression in Jerusalem.

In this context, the Al Jama-Ah Party expressed its strong support for the presidency of Reverend Frank Chikane of the Global Movement Against Apartheid, considering it will significantly bolster the movement. The party also called on Christian leaders in political parties, such as the African Christian Democratic Party, to reconsider their positions and follow the lead of figures like Dr. Allan Boesak. The party praised the bold statement issued by the Anglican Church, which declared that Israel is an apartheid state (29).

Thus, the Al Jama-Ah Party emphasizes its support for the Palestinian resistance from various angles, grounded in the belief that it is an issue of the Islamic nation and an expression of a shared suffering from racism and the historical injustices faced by Muslims in South Africa, in addition to the support Palestinians provided to South Africa in its struggle against apartheid.

Position of the Cape Muslim Congress on the Gaza War since October 2023

The Cape Muslim Congress sees the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a matter of great importance due to the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims and the connection of the Palestinian cause to South Africa’s experience in combating apartheid policies. Consequently, the party’s stance on Israel and the United States aligns with the positions of other Islamic political parties and groups, although it differs in tone (30).

Party’s View on the 2023 Gaza War

Its Position on Israel: The party views Israel as an enemy of global peace and justice, accusing its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, of killing women and children in Palestine. The party considers Zionism to be Judaism’s main enemy, as its actions lead to increased global hatred towards Jews in all communities, directly as a result of the mass killings of innocent Palestinian women and children (31).

The party rejects the current interpretation of hatred towards Jews as historical or anti-Semitic, asserting that this hatred is a response to Israel’s actions. It considers the Zionist discourse claiming that Jews are “the chosen people of God” to foster a sense of superiority, leading to an increase in anti-Semitic behavior globally (33).

Its View of Israel and the National Party in South Africa before the Political Transition: The party compares Zionist policies in Gaza to those of the National Party in South Africa during apartheid, when the African National Congress was labeled as terrorists. The party believes that the defense strategy for Zionism relies on false moral justification, akin to what the apartheid regime employed. It holds that international tolerance for Zionism is an extension of Europe’s responsibility for the holocaust (34).

Its View of Zionism and Fear of Democracy: The party asserts that Zionism fears true democracy more than Arab nationalist extremism. It calls for the immediate release of all Palestinian prisoners, particularly women and children, and urges a halt to the trafficking of human organs taken from Palestinian detainees. The party encourages supporting the growth of democratic institutions in the Islamic world, as it believes that democracy represents a threat to both Zionism and Arab elites (35).

European Stances on Palestinian Genocide: The party indicates that European positions on Palestinians are influenced by their historical actions in the collective killing of Jews for centuries. It views financial support for Israel and Palestinian genocide as a means to keep Jews away from Europe. The party asserts that the peoples of the global south, who were part of the persecution of Jews, sympathize more with Palestinians (36).

Its View of the United States, Europe, and Britain: The party believes that the U.S., Britain, and Europe engage in colonial policies based on resource exploitation and the killing of innocents, noting that their attitudes towards Palestinians are unsurprising. The party believes these nations do not see Palestinians as equal human beings with others, thus perpetuating impunity for mass murder (37).

Its Call to Choose Between Genocide and Justice: The party calls on everyone to take a clear stance on the genocide in Palestine. It believes that faith alone is insufficient if not translated into actions defending truth and justice. The party emphasizes that supporting Zionism equates to supporting genocide and that everyone will be held accountable by God for their actions and stances against injustice(39).

The Role of Jews outside Palestine in Achieving Peace: The party indicates that the Palestinian solution requires the contribution of Jews in the diaspora to pressure Israel for justice. It believes that coexistence between Palestinians and Jews has been possible throughout history and that the realistic solution is to establish a unitary constitutional democracy in Palestine, similar to South Africa’s experience (40).

Rejection of the Two-State Solution and Call for Territorial Unity: The party calls for transcending the idea of a two-state solution, stressing the importance of establishing a democratic unified state based on the coexistence of all populations. It believes that Palestinians and Jews must learn to coexist within a fair democratic rule that includes everyone (42).

It is clear that the Cape Muslim Congress supports the Palestinian resistance from multiple angles, adopting a rhetoric that is sharp in its opposition to Zionism and the international powers that support it. The party distinctly stands out through its explicit and strong tone, which combines a severe condemnation of the occupation’s actions and advocates for long-term strategic solutions, such as the establishment of a constitutional democracy in Palestine. However, the party’s grassroots activity remains limited compared to the Al Jama-Ah Party, which is characterized by ongoing organization of rallies and direct field activities to support the Palestinian cause.

Explanation and Assessment of Islamic Parties’ Positions on the 2023 Gaza War

Explanation of the Positions of Islamic Political Parties

The positions of Islamic political parties regarding the Israeli war on Gaza can be interpreted through the similarity of Israeli occupation practices in Palestine to the practices of the apartheid system in South Africa before the political transition in 1994. In this context, it is possible to discuss the racist practices of the Israeli occupation, the racist practices in South Africa, and the similarities between the two systems.

Racist Practices of the Israeli Occupation in Palestine: Since the occupation of Palestine, Israel has relied on numerous racist practices and laws which have led to the isolation of Palestinians and increased their suffering, including (43):

• Civil Law for Palestinian Citizens with Israeli Nationality: Based on local laws that carry ethnic biases supported by the Israeli basic laws.
• Permanent Residency of Palestinians in East Jerusalem: Restricting the freedom of Palestinians in Jerusalem and depriving them of basic rights.
• Military Law in the West Bank and Gaza Strip: Palestinians in these regions are subject to military orders, while Jewish settlers are subject to Israeli civil law.

These policies rely on the isolation of Palestinians in enclaves and imposing strict restrictions on their movement and family reunification. They also prevent Palestinians from obtaining residency or citizenship through marriage, while these rights are granted to Jews. Additionally, some Israeli researchers acknowledge that the events of 1948 constituted ethnic cleansing to expel the original Palestinian population, describing it as a crime against humanity perpetrated by the leaders of the Zionist movement (45, 46).

Racist Practices in South Africa before the Political Transition

The apartheid system in South Africa transformed into a complex system of laws after the National Party came to power in 1948. This system was based on three foundational pillars:

• Land Act: Restricted land ownership to whites.
• Population Classification Act: Segregated the population into ethnic groups.
• Separate Housing Act: Forced non-whites to reside in ethnic “homelands” (Bantustans) that constituted 7-13% of the country’s area.

The system also imposed restrictions on the movements of black individuals, prevented them from owning land, deprived them of voting rights, and enforced segregation between whites and blacks in public facilities, resulting in immense suffering in daily life (47, 48).

Similarities Between the Apartheid System in South Africa and Palestine

A. Spatial Segregation: Both systems relied on policies of spatial segregation. South Africa utilized a complex permit system to restrict the movement of blacks, while Israel employs a permit system and checkpoints that impede the movement of Palestinians. Additionally, South Africa established Bantustans to isolate blacks, akin to the besieged Gaza Strip, which is considered the world’s largest open-air prison (50, 51).

B. Citizenship: Both systems enforced discriminatory laws. In South Africa, non-whites were classified as second-class citizens. Similarly, Palestinians in Israel suffer from the “Nation-State Law,” which relegates them to second-class citizens (52).

C. Violence: South Africa witnessed massacres such as the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960; however, the level of violence endured by Palestinians in Gaza surpasses that, involving a blockade and bombardment leading to massive civilian casualties (53).

D. Ideological Proximity: There is an ideological proximity between the two racist systems. The former Israeli military chief Rafael Eitan stated that blacks in South Africa seek to control the white minority just as Arabs seek to control Jews in Palestine (54).

It is evident that the similarities between apartheid practices in South Africa and Israeli occupation practices have significantly contributed to shaping the positions of Islamic political parties that support Palestinians. Additionally, the Islamic affiliation of these parties enhances the importance of the Palestinian cause for them, as they consider Palestine a holy land containing Al-Aqsa Mosque and Bethlehem, making the support for Palestinians and the defense of their rights a central and pivotal issue in their vision and political positions.

Assessment of the Positions of Islamic Political Parties on the Israeli War on Gaza

Islamic political parties in South Africa agree on their supportive stance for the Palestinian cause and their opposition to the ongoing genocide war on Gaza. This position stems from their Islamic affiliation and the belief that Palestine is an issue of the nation, focusing on achieving freedom, justice, and independence for the Palestinian people. However, the degree of engagement of these parties with the cause varies, ranging from those who have translated their positions into tangible actions to those whose actions have been limited, perhaps due to varying political weights among the parties.

Al Jama-Ah Party: The Al Jama-Ah Party participated in the recent parliamentary elections in South Africa, raising the slogan “Give Your Vote to Al Jama-Ah. Vote for Palestine.” The party confirmed in a statement that the Palestinian cause transcends borders and unites peoples and political parties worldwide, viewing voting for them as an expression of support for the Palestinian cause and advocacy for the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination. The statement also indicated that the party’s backing for the cause contributes to raising awareness levels and effecting potential political changes, reflecting the party’s commitment to its unique Islamic identity in achieving justice and peace for the Palestinian people (55).

Despite its small political size, the Al Jama-Ah Party has an extensive activity in advocating for the Palestinian cause. It has made support for Palestinians the centerpiece of its electoral campaign, successfully winning two seats in the current parliament—one for party leader Mohamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks, and another for lawyer Shameemah Salie—compared to one seat in the previous parliament (56, 57). Furthermore, Hendricks was appointed as Deputy Minister of Social Development, reflecting the party’s growing influence (58).

This activity is not surprising for the party, as Hendricks has distinguished himself during his previous parliamentary membership through his strong support of the Palestinian cause and opposition to pro-Zionist parties, as confirmed by the party’s stance on the genocide war in Gaza.

Cape Muslim Congress: The positions of the Cape Muslim Congress, as expressed by its leader Yagyah Adams, have been characterized by sharpness and strength in condemning Israel and its allies, including the United States and European countries such as England, France, and Germany. The party has also criticized countries that claim neutrality, arguing that the two-state solution is merely a trick that cannot be achieved, emphasizing the importance of unifying Palestine and establishing a constitutional democracy similar to South Africa following the political transition. Adams clarified that he does not oppose the Jewish religion but firmly stands against Zionism and its racist practices.

Despite the clarity of the party’s vision and its strong positions, its political activity does not match its pronounced stance, as indicated on its official website. The party has not achieved a strong presence in parliament, and none of its members succeeded in securing a parliamentary seat in the recent elections. This highlights a clear disparity between it and the Al Jama-Ah Party, which has succeeded in translating its positions into tangible political achievements.

Nonetheless, the party may experience a growth in its activities in the future, especially with the current complexities and the escalating conflict in Gaza. These circumstances may provide the party the opportunity to enhance its political participation and expand its activities to support the Palestinian cause more effectively.

Conclusion

The study shows that the positions of Islamic political parties in South Africa on the Israeli war on Gaza are based on three main factors: Islamic affiliation, the experience of the struggle against racism, and the political and cultural impact of the Palestinian cause. These parties view Palestine as a religious and political symbol representing issues of justice and freedom, considering the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Bethlehem as sacred landmarks embodying the centrality of Palestine in Islamic consciousness. Additionally, the similarities between the practices of apartheid in South Africa and those of Israeli occupation have played a significant role in shaping these positions, as the policies of enclaves and ethnic cleansing in Palestine are compared to the Bantustans and the segregation policies suffered by South African citizens before the political transition.

These positions have contributed to strengthening community solidarity within South Africa, particularly among Muslims, evidenced through events and marches organized by parties such as Al Jama-Ah to support the Palestinian cause. The success of Al Jama-Ah’s leader in winning a parliamentary seat and being appointed as Deputy Minister of Social Development reflects a positive development that may deepen the party’s role in supporting Palestinians on both local and international levels.

However, the efforts of Islamic political parties remain limited against the severity of the war in Gaza, which is described as a genocide, given that Muslims in South Africa constitute a small percentage of the population (2%) and face challenges tied to the historical legacy of oppression and racism, affecting their political influence. Nonetheless, the ongoing escalation of the conflict and its sensitivity may open doors for these parties to enhance their activities and political positions in the future, thus forming a more impactful force in supporting the Palestinians in their right to freedom and independence.