ISRAELI TRIP HAUNTS DA MP

Emma Powell's keynote address disrupted at South African Institute of International Affairs

- NICOLA DANIELS

THE South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has distanced itself from views expressed by speakers at an event organised by its Western Cape branch, where DA MP Emma Powell came under fire from a group of people over her recent 'fact-finding' mission in Israel.

Powell was a keynote speaker at the event on Wednesday. The topic of discussion was South Africa's strategic goals within the G20 and its bilateral relations with the US, the European Union and BRICS+ partners.

“The presence of Ms Powell, given her and the DA’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, led to protests and a breakdown of the event due to security concerns. It is important to clarify that SAIIA has active branches in Cape Town (Western Cape) and Pietermaritzburg, each with volunteer committees that independently organise their own events. This particular event was organised and hosted by the Western Cape branch. The views expressed by speakers at SAIIA events do not necessarily represent the viewpoints or endorsement of the Institute and/or its National Council. SAIIA supports a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, one which recognises the rights of both peoples living west of the Jordan River.

“The current ongoing war in Gaza is not only a humanitarian tragedy that has seen tens of thousands of civilians die, but also inimical to an enduring peace,” the institute said yesterday.