Sanctioning Apartheid - KORA

The South Aftrca-Israel Alliance, 1986-1988
Israel's direct and open support for the apartheid regime in
its hour of need is especially appreciated by those U.S. leaders
whose om support mot be equally d h A In this case, Israel
is playing the role of the most valuable surrogate the US. may
have. As in other cases, Israel can provide vital sewices with
reliability and dedication. T h o ~ they d are numerouswithin
the US executive branch who are concerned about the
Wval of South Africa as a valuable ally are heartened by what
they know of Israel's aetivitis. But many pm-apartheid
herim do not wen how half of what Israel is really doing.
Israel has become part of the history of South Africa, an
active partner in the war over the future of apartheid. A black
South African said to an Israeli journalist, 'Tell your gend in
the Zsraeli army that they are in a losing war."'"ut the end of
that war will have momentous implications for Israel, together
wi5h the rest of the world. It is important to realize how deeply
concerned Israel's leaders are about the survival of apartheid
Theirs is not the concern of foreign corporations worried about
their investments. It is a true commitment to something which
is vital to the sumival of their own country. This is much more
than most foreignm feel about apartheid. We am expect this
commitment to continue in various forms, most of which will be
unpublickd. hel will also continue to play the role of the
middleman between South Africa and the United Stab.
Notes
1. A. SchweitzerI "Shall Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?" hTnar&
Mebrew), 4 OcLober 1987.
2. k Ben-VedI "Peres: he1 Must Consider US. Attitudes Towards
South Afmim," &rrft, 20 March 1987.
3. k EIdar, 'The W i t Will Discuss Today Symbolic hksures
A- South Africa," Hhmtz, 8 July 1987.