DA says future expenditure on SA's ICJ case against Israel should be weighed up against domestic needs

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) says future expenditure on the government's genocide case against Israel will have to be carefully weighed up against national priorities. 

With a constrained fiscus, the DA Chief Whip George Michalakis said the R95 million spent so far on litigation in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) could have addressed many of the country’s pressing needs.  

Last week, the DA condoned the expenditure by supporting a special appropriation bill as part of the medium-term budget.  

READ: Govt's R95m expenditure on ICJ genocide case against Israel approved by National Assembly

The DA's parliamentary caucus said it's looking forward to 2025, in particular playing a role in the budget-making process.  

But it said it won’t be supporting projects that won't result in economic growth and jobs.  

Michalakis said future expenditure on the ICJ's case can't be prioritised over domestic needs.  

"If the trade-off has to be at home or abroad, I do think charity begins at home, and we would most certainly advocate for funds to be spent towards South Africa and growing our own economy than to fight a battle overseas," he said.

READ: Ramaphosa doesn't expect SA's genocide case against Israel to impact on relations with G20 nations

Michalakis said the international community should collectively take responsibility for resolving the situation in the Middle East and not South Africa alone.  

"At some point, we need to ask ourselves the question whether in terms of South Africa's international standing and despite the fact that the ANC [African National Congress] chooses sides...whether we have actually made a meaningful impact," he added.

Michalakis said the party’s diplomatic position on the Palestine matter remains unchanged and reaffirmed the DA's stance on a two-state solution.