Sponsored Israel trip for at least 10 parliamentarians described in various ways in disclosures

CAPE TOWN - What was labelled a fact-finding mission to Israel, a sponsored trip for at least 10 parliamentarians from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has been described in varying ways in their disclosures to Parliament.

The trip caused a stir in April when it was revealed that it was not undertaken as part of their parliamentary duties and appeared to go against South Africa’s position on Israel in relation to its war on Gaza.

In declaring the trip as required by the ethics code, some members of Parliament (MPs) have described the trip as having a religious purpose, while others viewed it as a study tour.

The South Africa Friends of Israel sponsored a select group of MPs to travel to Israel, where they met the Israeli President Isaac Herzog and government officials.

In annual disclosures to Parliament, the DA’s Emma Powell said the purpose of the seven-day trip, which included the West Bank, was to explore perspectives within Israeli society and for sightseeing.

Her colleague, Glynnis Breytenbach, declared the trip as a gift rather than sponsored travel worth R110,000, as did the party’s Nicholas Myburgh and Katherine Christie, who said she undertook the trip in her private capacity.

The DA’s Bridget Masango labelled it a religious trip, while the party’s Mlondi Mdluli said it was a study tour, and Bonginkosi Madikizela labelled it a fact-finding tour.

The ACDP’s Steve Swart also said he was participating in a fact-finding mission and to visit and pray at sites in the Holy Land.

The PA’s Ashley Sauls said the fact-finding exercise was to see and understand firsthand the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

His colleague, Millicent Mathopa, did not declare the trip at all.