Johannesburg – The Patriotic Alliance (PA) party on Saturday announced that its senior leadership was going to visit Israel in just over a week.
“A delegation of senior PA leaders including president Gayton McKenzie and deputy president Kenny Kunene is scheduled to visit Israel from 23 to 29 July, partly due to the countrys long history with coalitions,” said the party’s national spokesperson, Steve Motale.
Aside from one brief occasion from 1968 to 1969, Israeli governments have been made up of coalitions since the inception of Israel in 1948.
The current government in the Israeli Knesset (its legislature) comprises six parties.
“Israel is a country struggling with deep and complex social and political issues against the backdrop of a divided history,” said Motale.
“Whatever ones views may be on the country, valuable lessons can be drawn for South Africa from its experiences.”
Motale said the PA already plays a significant role in coalition governments at the local government level in South Africa, with the likelihood that the party will have a significant say in new coalitions at the provincial and national level following next years elections.
Commenting on the upcoming trip to Israel, PA leader McKenzie said: I am a very curious person, which was why when I was invited to Orania, I went to see it for myself.
“There was good there, and there was bad.
“Israel divides opinions even more, but that doesnt mean one cant learn from the place.
“We will not be taking anyones side in or about Israel – we are going there to learn, and I am always humbled to have the opportunity to learn something new and challenge whatever views I might have.
McKenzie said his team will meet with the leaders of the various political parties in the Israeli coalition and “outside it”.
He said a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also been scheduled.
PA Deputy President Kunene said: This is an important moment for us as a party as we continue to evolve our vision of a better South Africa that works for all its people.
Kunene revealed that the PA intends to follow the visit with other trips to European democracies led by coalition governments, including Finland, Germany, and Denmark.
Beyond that, McKenzie said he was determined to travel to El Salvador to witness the remarkable transformation of that society under the leadership of its president, Nayib Bukele.
Bukele is a living example of how a young man with a vision and true determination can free a society from the absolute grip of crime and hopelessness,” McKenzie said.
“I can think of no one better to seek out in these troubled times for South Africa.
