Don't twist the meaning of words: It is either a genocide or it's not

There are no half meanings in words

Just as there is no such thing as half a homicide, there can be no such thing as a partial genocide.

The genocide in Gaza is therefore complete. Finished.

Governments around the globe – most of whom stood by silently, witnessing the total extermination of Gaza and the forced submission of the West Bank – are now, with great hypocritical enthusiasm, asking the same age-old question: “A two-state solution, or what?”

And of course, most people on all sides are now clamouring for that same answer: “A two-state solution!” Forgetting, it seems, that this has effectively been the case for over seven decades: a Have-State and a Have-Not State. To continue along this same path would simply be a return to the current, deeply unequal status quo.

Imagine an Israel continuing with its pompous, haughty military and technological dominance – fully backed by the United States and other Western powers – just as it has for the last 70 years. Meanwhile, a “new” Palestinian state would remain a dependent, impoverished welfare state, propped up by third-tier handouts from so-called “charitable” nations, Arab or otherwise, and the United Nations.

Both would exist side by side? Really?

So what, exactly, would be new?

Except, perhaps, an even deeper hatred between the two “new” states – hatred born of the horrors of the past two years. That hatred – fuelled by decades of oppression, bombardment, starvation, displacement, and massacre – will not disappear overnight.

The South African example is instructive. Had there been a two-state solution – one for apartheid South Africa and one for a “free” South Africa – the result would have been endless instability, tension, and likely war.

As difficult as it may be to visualise or accept, the only feasible solution is a single, inclusive, democratic country. One that dares to forgive and forget not just the last 20 months, but the last 70 years.

A single country founded on full human rights and genuine democracy – not one based on racial, ethnic, or religious supremacy. A place where Christians, Muslims, Jews, and people of all other faiths live with equal rights.Where words like “Zionist” and all other supremacist ideologies are buried forever in the desert sand.

In truth, this may be the only choice left.| Ebrahim Essa Durban

Trump’s whims not worthy of our focus

The time has come for South Africa and indeed the world to accept an uncomfortable truth: Donald J Trump, despite his stature and influence, behaves less like a statesman and more like a child trapped in a grown man’s body.

His conduct, rhetoric, and disregard for democratic norms render him fundamentally unfit to lead any nation, least of all a global superpower such as the US.

It is profoundly troubling that some world leaders still clamour for meetings with Mr Trump, as though proximity to his power validates their own.

This sycophantic behaviour does not merely diminish their own credibility; it places them on equal footing with a man whose values are inconsistent with the principles of justice, diplomacy, and human dignity. They forget one important fact, Donald Trump is a convicted rapist, grossly dishonest businessman and good friend of Jeffrey Epstein and yet, they beg to meet with this evil man.

The upcoming G20 Summit to be hosted on South African soil, presents an opportunity to re-centre global ­leadership around reason, compassion, and moral responsibility.

The greatest gift to the G20 nations may well be a summit devoid of Trump’s presence. His habitual deflections and inflammatory remarks undermine the seriousness of this platform, where leaders gather to deliberate on issues of critical consequence to billions across the globe.

We cannot allow his presence to overshadow or derail urgent global discussions, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis and alleged genocide being committed against the Palestinian people – an atrocity Trump has vocally supported. The world’s focus must remain on human rights, peace, and accountability, not on the whims of one man.

Though we may be forced to tolerate Mr Trump’s presence on the global stage for the next 40 months, we are under no obligation to indulge his bullying, immaturity, or the contempt for the office he currently occupies.

President Cyril Ramaphosa must recognise that Donald Trump holds no genuine respect for him or for any black South Africans.

It is imperative that our president place the dignity and interests of the Republic above any personal diplomatic or business overtures.South Africa, and the G20, deserve better. The world deserves better. | Rozario Brown Moille Point

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