Douglas Murray Slams South Africa’s ‘Anti-Israel’ Case As Distraction From Domestic Issues

Political commentator Douglas Murray blasted South Africa’s government as “anti-semitic” and “anti-Israel” in criticism of its case accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Murray accused the South African government of trying to distract from its own failings, in terms of violence and poverty in its country. South Africa’s case, which opened Thursday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, claims Israel has genocidal intent in Gaza.

The commentator was asked by TalkTV host Julia Hartley-Brewer whether he believed the case had any foundation.

“First of all, absolutely not,” Murray said. “I mean, as I’ve mentioned to you before, Julia, the population of Gaza has grown by almost a million in the last 16 years, so it’s a very strange type of genocide where the population actually increases.”

​​Since October 7th, it’s estimated that over 23,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have reportedly been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) estimates that 1.9 million people have been internally displaced, and much infrastructure destroyed.

Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza began following Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7th, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli civilian deaths and the taking of 240 hostages, of whom just over 100 have been released.

The Genocide Convention, the basis of the case and against which the allegations will be measured, defines the crime as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole, or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

Having dismissed the case, Murray criticised the South African government for it domestic “failings.”

He said: “You mentioned of course this preposterous action by the South African government. If you go to South Africa, as I have, you’ll find that South Africa is one of the most beautiful and amazing countries in the world and it’s one of the most hideously run. Major cities like Johannesburg have massive electricity blackouts, there’s horrible corruption by the government. They can’t provide the most basic things for the people and, you know, [there’s] terrible violence and horrible poverty in the townships.”

Turning his criticism to the government he said: “South Africa, however, its government is profoundly anti-semitic, has been anti-Israel for years, and they always do this sort of thing to try to sort of distract attention among their own population from the failings of their own government.”

Murray, an author and journalist, is associate editor of the conservative magazine The Spectator. He frequently appears on conservative podcasts and media outlets across the US and UK where he has spoken out in support of Israel and expressed views about Islam, in particular, that have attracted criticism.

In recent appearances on TalkTV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored, the commentator engaged in fiery exchanges over Israel’s campaign in Gaza with US Democratic presidential hopeful Cenk Uyger, blasting him as a “low-rent racist” and “thug.”