Zille faces backlash for dodging questions on Gaza amid Joburg mayoral campaign

DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille has drawn sharp criticism after sidestepping questions about Israel's atrocities in Gaza, where widespread destruction and mass civilian deaths have led many international observers and rights groups to label the assault as genocide.

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Zille, 74, was pressed on her position regarding the escalating crisis but avoided taking a clear stand on whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide.

"Genocide is a very big word and I haven't been to Gaza, and I don’t know," she told the broadcaster. "But I certainly know that Hamas has spent all its energy to obliterate the state of Israel."

Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said her remarks are consistent with the DA's position of siding with Israel over Palestine. "Just because the DA is in a GNU with a major party that is pro-Palestine some thought Helen Zille would abandon her initial stance," he said.

Zille's remarks prompted a swift response from Rise Mzansi's national communications director, Mabine Seabe, who condemned both the violence in Gaza and Zille's refusal to acknowledge it.

"Anyone with eyes, ears and a heart for humanity acknowledges that a genocide is being committed," Seabe told IOL.

Seabe warned that Zille's candidacy would bring further controversy.

"As her campaign for Joburg Mayor unfolds we will be subjected to more of these damaging views. It is therefore up to the true residents of Joburg to decide if this is the kind of person they want leading them," he said.

EFF head of international relations Nqobile Mhlongo also weighed in, sharply criticising Zille and the DA.

"The DA has no regard for human life. During the 6th Parliament on the motion to cut diplomatic ties with Israel they voted against the motion. The DA leader John Steenhuisen has on many occasions supported the genocidal Israel over their actions in the occupied Palestine," Mhlongo said.

Mhlongo added that the DA fails to recognise the asymmetry of the conflict.

"What the DA doesn't understand is that it's not a war in Palestine between two equal states; Gaza has been besieged. Zille, true to DA colours, represents the fibre of her party that they always side with the oppressor at the expense of the oppressed," she said.

ActionSA communications director Matthew George also weighed in on Zille's response, highlighting the evasiveness of her wording.

"She said genocide is a big word. I am not sure what she intended by this, but it is safe to say it was a puzzling dodge of the question, not least because 'genocide' is in fact only eight letters," he said.

Cape Times