US Sanctions South Africa... For Not Sanctioning Gaza?
The US is allegedly 'politicizing' trade talks with South Africa by linking them to Pretoria's stance on the war in Gaza. South Africa's International Relations Minister, Naledi Pandor, highlights the irony of Washington imposing conditions on trade—via the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—after South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. (As per the Financial Times
report.) It's curious how 'free trade' suddenly comes with moral clauses only when a nation dares to challenge a US ally's actions, particularly when the US itself provides billions in unconditional military aid to said ally. One might wonder if the concern for human rights is truly universal, or if it conveniently applies only when a nation isn't critical of US foreign policy. The US House
recently passed HR 815 (2024), providing $14.1 billion in military aid to Israel, despite mounting evidence of civilian casualties in Gaza. While lawmakers like Rep. Steny Hoyer, who received approximately $179,000 from pro-Israel groups in 2022 (OpenSecrets.org), champion such aid, nations like South Africa are threatened with economic penalties for daring to pursue international justice. The
message is clear: 'Do as we say, or face the financial consequences,' regardless of international law.