EFF's Malema backs Iran's strikes on Israel, says 'we stand by their right to defend themselves'
JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said it was only fair that Israel gets a taste of its own medicine and experience the same devastation as Gaza.
Malema said that Iran, which has come under aerial bombardment by the US and Israel, had the right to defend itself.
Malema made the remarks on Sunday at the mass funeral of seven EFF members who died in a bus accident while returning from a Youth Day rally last week.
ALSO READ:
• Iran-Israel war: SA calling on UN to broker peaceful resolution - Presidency
• EFF stands in solidarity with Iran after targeted US, Israel airstrikes: Malema
The MK party has also weighed in, condemning the US attacks on Iran as reckless and unlawful.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
42 minutes ago
- Eyewitness News
Iran-Israel war must not become refugee crisis: United Nations
GENEVA - The United Nations said on Saturday the Iran-Israel war must not be allowed to trigger another refugee crisis in the Middle East, saying once people fled there was no quick way back. UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, said the intensity of the attacks between the two sides was already triggering population movements in both countries. Such movements had already been reported from Tehran and other parts of Iran, it said, with some people crossing into neighbouring countries. Strikes in Israel had caused people to seek shelter elsewhere in the country and in some cases abroad. "This region has already endured more than its share of war, loss and displacement. We cannot allow another refugee crisis to take root," said Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees. "The time to de-escalate is right now. Once people are forced to flee, there's no quick way back -- and all too often, the consequences last for generations." Israel said on Saturday it had launched fresh air strikes against missile storage and launch sites in central Iran. Iran has responded with barrages which Israeli authorities say have killed at least 25 people. Iran hosts the largest number of refugees in the world -- around 3.5 million -- mostly of them from Afghanistan. If the conflict persists, Iran's existing refugee populations would also face renewed uncertainty and yet more hardship, UNHCR said. The agency called for an urgent de-escalation in the conflict and urged countries in the region to respect the right of people to seek safety. The Israeli government says the unprecedented wave of attacks it has launched at Iran since June 13 is aimed at preventing its rival from developing nuclear weapons -- an ambition Tehran strongly denies. Israel has maintained ambiguity about its own atomic arsenal, neither officially confirming nor denying it exists, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says it has 90 nuclear warheads.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Navigating diplomacy: South Africa's response to Iran-Israel tensions
President Ramaphosa is grappling with a diplomatic solution to the Iran-Israel war. Image: Jairus Mmutle/ GCIS As the world grapples with the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a cautious statement calling for dialogue and peaceful resolution. The statement, released on Sunday, reflects the country's delicate diplomatic position, given its warm relations with Iran and its history of criticising Israel's actions in Gaza. Ramaphosa's statement expressed "anxiety" over the US involvement in the conflict, urging President Donald Trump to use his influence to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path. "It was South Africa's sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute," the statement read. 'President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government have noted with a great deal of anxiety the entry by the United States of America into the Israel-Iran war. 'It was South Africa's sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute. 'South Africa calls on the United States, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters of dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity,' the statement reads. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa also called on the United States, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters in dispute. South Africa's response to the conflict is complicated by its relations with Iran and Israel. As a fellow BRICS member, South Africa has warm diplomatic relations with Iran. However, the country has also been a staunch critic of Israel's conduct in Gaza, culminating in a landmark International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of genocide. Pretoria has publicly cut diplomatic ties with Israel, formally downgrading the embassy. The international community has reacted to the conflict with varying degrees of condemnation and support. Political analyst Dr John Molepo said the government has sought to portray itself as a champion of the Global South, a defender of international law, and a broker of multipolar diplomacy. 'Ramaphosa's measured response reflects the complexities of this balancing act, as the country seeks to maintain its relationships with both Iran and the US while upholding its commitment to peaceful resolution and international law,' Molepo said.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Can Floyd Shivambu lead a new party? Critics say he's too ‘weak' to tackle South Africa's problems
Despite his bold push to launch a new political party, Floyd Shivambu faces criticism over his inability to solve pressing issues during his time with the EFF and MK Party. Image: Facebook / MK Party Although many critics believe former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu is 'too weak' and does not have what it takes to lead a political party, one political analyst argues he should not be underestimated. Shivambu, who was recently removed from the MK Party's parliamentary list and demoted from his post as secretary-general, held a press briefing last week, outlining his plans for a nationwide consultation process. He said he intends to engage with church leaders and community stakeholders to determine whether there is support for establishing a new political party. IOL News previously reported that Shivambu's announcement followed a report indicating the MK Party had excluded him from its list of Members of Parliament. However, Shivambu publicly criticised the move. In a surprising twist, the MK Party cited Shivambu's unauthorised visit to Prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi as a breach of party protocol, which they claimed led to his removal. However, Shivambu dismissed the explanation, alleging that he was sidelined for questioning the alleged embezzlement of R7 million in party funds. 'I was redeployed for daring to speak out against corruption within the party,' Shivambu said during the briefing. 'Despite this, I remain committed to serving the people and will not leave the MK Party. I am exploring the possibility of forming a new political entity that reflects our shared values.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He added that his motivation stems from a desire to promote transparency and accountability in South African politics. Critics argue that he lacks the political clout to lead a new movement, especially given his prior roles in the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as the deputy president and secretary general in the MK Party, during which he was accused of failing to address the country's major challenges. 'I don't think Shivambu has what it takes to lead a political movement and address the challenges facing the country, because he failed to do so in the EFF and MK Party. He's not going to make it, he's too weak to lead a party, I think he should just join other parties instead…,' said Magret Mashita from Mokopane, in Limpopo. Meanwhile, political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said Shivambu should not be underestimated. 'If Floyd has the funds to start and register a party with the IEC, just like Hlaudi Motsoeneng, Duduzane Zuma, and many others did - so can he,' Ntombela told IOL News. 'Floyd cannot be as weak as some claim. He's entering a space that many - strong and weak, have fallen into...' Shivambu recently posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that 10,000 people had volunteered to be part of the consultation process for the potential formation of the new party. Asked if this signals genuine grassroots momentum or simply early-stage enthusiasm remains to be seen, Ntombela said, 'I would lean more toward premature excitement.' 'Ten thousand doesn't come close to the number of votes needed to secure a parliamentary seat. And of those 10,000, how many will stick around when Floyd makes a mistake? If the ANC, a legacy party, has just over 1.4 million members in a country of 63 million, that should tell you how hard it is to earn support.' According to Ntombela, there will always be a need for new parties in the country. 'The real question is: what's novel about the new party? What change is it offering? Can it distinguish itself from the ANC and DA?' He also warned against expecting transformation from familiar political figures. 'If the leader comes from the ANC or DA, it would be foolish to expect anything different.' Responding to criticism on whether Shivambu can realistically win public support, especially considering his track record with the EFF and MK Party, Ntombela expressed skepticism. 'He can be hopeful, but it will be difficult to find a unique political niche.' 'The ANC rides on legacy. The DA is seen as predominantly white. The EFF appeals to the youth. MK and the IFP are rooted in Zulu identity and their founding leaders. None of these parties command overwhelming cross-racial support. Floyd's options are limited.'
