South Africa's Intelligence Minister Discusses Hamas and Global Solidarity
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, former South African Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils revealed insights into his interactions with Hamas leaders, emphasizing their interest in South Africa's historical struggle against apartheid. Kasrils noted that while there was no formal mediation between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, he maintained ongoing dialogues with key Hamas figures, including Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal. He highlighted that Hamas leaders were eager to learn from South Africa's experience in mobilizing diverse support for their cause, particularly from the white community during the anti-apartheid movement.
Kasrils pointed out that the solidarity shown by various groups, including many Jews in the West, against Zionism has inspired Hamas to consider similar strategies in their fight against perceived imperialism. He expressed optimism about the potential for a global solidarity movement that could support not only the Palestinian cause but also other nations facing challenges from Israel and Western powers, such as Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.
Relations with Egypt and Mossad
Discussing his relationship with Egypt's former intelligence chief, General Omar Suleiman, Kasrils expressed skepticism about Suleiman's reliability. He mentioned that while they had to maintain a working relationship, he found Suleiman to be uncooperative regarding humanitarian access to Gaza. Kasrils was particularly focused on facilitating aid convoys to Gaza, collaborating with British politician George Galloway in this effort.
Kasrils also addressed the activities of Mossad in South Africa during his tenure. He firmly stated that he kept Mossad at a distance, significantly reducing any cooperation between the two intelligence agencies. He revealed that there were no exchanges of intelligence regarding Palestinian activists, which reportedly displeased Israeli officials. Furthermore, he recounted an encounter where Mossad attempted to persuade South Africa to take a stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions, which he and President Thabo Mbeki dismissed as unfounded claims.
A Call for Awareness and Support
Kasrils concluded the interview by urging for increased awareness and support for the Palestinian struggle, highlighting the importance of building a global movement that transcends national boundaries. He reiterated that the fight against imperialism is a collective struggle that requires solidarity among oppressed peoples worldwide.
