Dispute within the GNU over AGOA The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have informed Solidarity of their planned action within the Government of National Unity (GNU) regarding the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States. The FF Plus has formally declared a dispute within the GNU, while the DA has indicated that the matter will be placed on the Cabinet agenda, with the potential to declare a dispute. The DA has also announced several other steps it intends to take. This follows a letter from Solidarity to the DA and FF Plus, calling on the two parties, who receive the majority of Solidarity members’ support at the ballot box, to enter a dispute within the GNU over AGOA. According to Solidarity, the government’s reckless foreign policy could result in South Africa being excluded from AGOA. The White House is expected to decide on the matter on or before 1 November. Solidarity emphasises that more than 500,000 jobs in South Africa depend on trade with the United States, of which approximately 250,000 are linked to AGOA. Dr Dirk Hermann, Solidarity Chief Executive, says these actions send an important message that the ANC’s handling of relations with the US does not enjoy the support of all GNU partners. “We welcome these actions. Workers and their families cannot be made to pay the price for the ANC’s ideological stubbornness. Jobs and trade relations must now take precedence over party politics,” says Hermann. The FF Plus is calling for an urgent, coordinated government plan to retain South Africa’s AGOA benefits. The party also demands that Ministers Ronald Lamola and Parks Tau report to the GNU parties on negotiations with the US and on the concrete steps being taken to address outstanding US concerns. The DA has confirmed that its leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has raised the matter personally with President Cyril Ramaphosa and that the party is already engaging with US government representatives. Minister Willie Aucamp will raise the issue in Cabinet and has also arranged an urgent discussion with the US government. “The dispute strengthens our hand in discussions with the Americans, but it must now lead to decisive action. “Our members in the agricultural, motor manufacturing and mining industries need certainty about their jobs. They cannot afford to wait for a protracted government process,” says Hermann. Solidarity plans to engage with the White House on AGOA this week and to hold further discussions with the US government in Washington later this month. “We have only one goal in mind, and that is to save AGOA for South Africa and protect our people’s jobs. We have only a few weeks left. The government must now put the national interest ahead of the ANC’s ideology,” says Hermann.

Just a few facts and observations regarding Gaza, the Palestinians, and Israel: 1. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has carried out numerous terror attacks against Israel and Jews over the years; the worst of these was the brutal torture and murder of more than 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. 2. Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2006, having been elected there by the Palestinians. Subsequently, they put an end to any democracy in Gaza. 3. Any dissent against Hamas is punishable by death. There is no room for opposition; liberal ideas are not tolerated—and certainly not the notion of living in peace in a separate state alongside Israel. 4. Until recently, Hamas exercised total control over Gaza’s health department. During the war with Israel, death tolls were released by this 'authority.' These figures were never independently verified, and there is ample reason to believe they were exaggerated—that most of the fatalities were Hamas fighters, that civilians were used by Hamas as human shields, and that natural deaths (due to old age, illness, etc.) were simply included in the count. 5. Throughout the war, Israel did everything possible to limit civilian casualties. Israel also facilitated food distribution, whereas Hamas exploited food distribution for its own gain. There was never a famine in Gaza. Nor is it true that the entirety of Gaza has been destroyed. Images of devastated areas are readily shown, but not photos of neighborhoods and towns that remain intact. 6. In 2000, the Palestinians had the opportunity to secure a state of their own—one comprising Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. A moderate Israeli government agreed to Bill Clinton’s proposal, which would have required significant concessions from Israel. The entire international community supported the plan, yet the Palestinian Authority rejected it at the last minute. 7. The chances of a two-state solution are now extremely slim. Israeli citizens have simply lost faith in such a solution. It was the residents of kibbutzim in southern Israel—a population largely pro-Palestinian, who often supported Palestinians in various ways and even employed them—who were slaughtered, tortured, and raped on October 7. 8. The only solution now is to end all support for terrorist groups like Hamas (and others). Urgent measures are needed to counter radicalization among Palestinians. A more moderate leader is required. 9. The Trump peace plan could and should then be implemented. The solution for Gaza is not radicalization; it is normalization. 10. A solution must be found. But not through lies. The anti-Israel campaign waged by leftists in Western countries, coupled with the massive migrant population from Muslim nations, contributes to the tension rather than the solution. Palestinians deserve a better future, but only they can decide whether they wish to achieve it through peace or violence. Israel is a traumatized nation, yet it can and must cooperate towards a solution. However, lies regarding Israel's motives and modus operandi erode trust and diminish the prospects for peace. This must stop.