Laeed Zaghlami, a political analyst and professor at the Faculty of Information and Communication at the University of Algiers, has shed light on South Africa's ongoing legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, emphasizing the country's commitment to justice and its defiance against double standards.
"South Africa, with its long history of fighting apartheid and colonialism, is keen to defend the just cause around the world," Zaghlami told Sputnik Africa. "By acting this way, South Africa is in compliance with its own political and ideological, revolutionary principles and values."
He highlighted the West's reluctance to support South Africa's initiative, attributing it to their own colonial past and the desire to protect Israel, which he described as a tool for advancing Western interests. He explained that the US's unwavering support of Israel, including shielding it from sanctions, stems from its strategic importance to the West.
"These countries have blood on their hands with their past colonialism and the neocolonialism legacy," he said. "It's clear that now the fight is between those countries, who are like South Africa as the leading role in defending the principle of sovereignty and independence for countries, and those powers which have colonialism legacy."
Zaghlami emphasized the frustration felt by African countries, particularly regarding the US's special treatment of Israel and its disregard for African peace initiatives. "African countries are fed up, and not happy with this special treatment that the US is giving when it comes to Israel," he said.
"South Africa, which is not an Arab country or Muslim countries, is in the forefront to defend human rights and to defend the rights of Palestinians," he said. "South Africa is mainly concerned with the question of fairness and values and humanitarian values."
BRICS Potential Role in the Palestinian Cause
The professor stated that BRICS offers a chance to establish justice in the world and give Palestinians a right to exist. He expressed a strong belief that the BRICS bloc presents a crucial opportunity for Palestine to achieve justice and recognition, amidst growing international frustration with Israel's impunity.
"Right now, Israel is immune from any judgment," Zaghlami told Sputnik Africa. "This impunity should not continue and Israel should be brought to justice... Israel should not be exempt from being brought to justice because of the act and committing against the innocent people."
Zaghlami highlighted the growing discontent with the Western-dominated global order, and the potential for BRICS to provide an alternative platform for justice. He emphasized the recent BRICS summit declaration in Kazan, Russia, which called for a new world order based on respect, non-interference, and fairness.
"The world is fed up, and is tired of the injustice imposed by the Western system of values that we inherited from the Second World War II," Zaghlami said. "That's why BRICS is the initiative, not only the good initiative, it is the alternative to a hegemonic system, Western system."
He stressed the importance of Palestine's potential inclusion in BRICS, arguing it would offer a crucial platform for the Palestinians to reclaim their right to exist and access justice.
"The West has been only playing games with the Palestinians," Zaghlami said. "BRICS is offering a venue for countries in which they are treated legally… BRICS is the umbrella for all countries which are still under, in a way or another, a form of pressure and dominance from the West."
Prof. Zaghlami concluded by stressing the importance of Algeria's consistent advocacy for Palestine at the UN Security Council, urging the body to use its authority to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza.