By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) removed Ghaleb Cachalia from the party’s shadow cabinet over remarks and tweets he made over the Israel-Palestine war.
This comes after Cachalia was said to have jumped the gun and “dared” the DA by airing his personal views on the Israel-Palestine war despite an instruction that a position is yet to be formalised.
DA’s leader John Steenhuisen said in a leaked letter, that the background to this controversy lies in a discussion that took place during the DA’s national caucus meeting on October 19, where the ongoing crisis in the Middle East was the focal point.
Steenhuisen said, the party also called for the upholding of international law and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Additionally, the shadow minister for International Relations and Cooperation was designated as the DA’s spokesperson on this issue, and it was resolved to establish a policy platform for structured discussions on foreign policy matters, including the Middle East conflict.
In the aftermath of this decision, caucus members were expected to abstain from making public statements that could divide or inflame the issue further.
However, on October 31, Steenhuisen said Cachalia “violated” this decision by posting a statement on X that read, “I will not be silenced. Israel is committing Genocide. Full Bloody stop”.
I will not be silenced.
Israel is committing Genocide.
Full ? BLOODY ? stop.— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) October 31, 2023
Steenhuisen said he found the “situation deeply regrettable” as he always regarded Cachalia as a “respected colleague and as a good friend.”
In response Cachalia said in a post on X : “I have been inundated with media requests about my axing from the shadow cabinet. I am considering my response to the leaked letter which was sent by Steenhuisen to me.”
I have been inundated with media requests about my axing from the shadow cabinet.I am considering my response to the leaked letter which was sent by Steenhuisen to me. I am about to board a plane.I will revert after I have considered the matter and taken advice from those I value
— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) November 2, 2023
He says the events will result in his transitioning to the role of a “backbencher”, which he believes will make life “less hectic”. He was serving as a senior member of the shadow cabinet.
So I’m now a backbencher.
Certainly going to make life less hectic. pic.twitter.com/02XKMkpvyn— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) November 2, 2023
Cachalia is a former businessman, entrepreneur, strategy consultant, investor and advisor. He has served on a number of boards of listed and unlisted companies and educational institutions locally and internationally.