South African opposition party accused of ‘white supremacy’ over Gaza stance

A religious leader has questioned Democratic Alliance figure Helen Zille about the party’s failure to condemn Israel’s military actions in the Palestinian enclave

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) has been accused of white supremacy and double standards over its alleged failure to label Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide.

Speaking at a DA event in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Pastor Nigel Branken, an activist, voiced his dislike for the party.

“I’m one of those people who really don’t like you. I’ve never liked the DA. I find the DA to be the most racist party, full of white supremacy,” Branken said.

“The question for me is a big one. How can we even trust you to lead when you can’t acknowledge that there’s a genocide going on in Gaza?” he asked the DA mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Hellen Zille.

”You say we must wait for the ICJ to rule. The ICJ has found that there’s a plausible case of genocide. The ICJ has said we must respect the rights of people. Amnesty International has ruled. Human Rights Watch has ruled. The International Association of Genocide Scholars has ruled, and you continue to deny that there’s a genocide. Where is your morality?” he said as the crowd heckled him.

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”How many more children must die? How many more people must starve before you will stand up with a spine to the immorality of what is happening?” he continued saying.

”Your party keeps telling us it can’t do anything; it can’t influence what’s happening there. Your party can influence it,” he said amid people trying to stop him.

”You can support other ICJ cases, you can support sanctions. You can support the stopping of coal exports; you can support the prosecution of people serving in the IDF. That is what you can do, Helen Zille. That is what you can do. Shame on you,” he concluded.

Brilliant. The hypocrisy and sophistry is astounding. 73 000 civilians, including childrenj murdered - a war crime - and not a single word of condemnation. An ICC fugitive and no demands for his arrest. Unconscionable.

The DA has never “waited” for any international court to… https://t.co/1R69DkBZ1u

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) April 16, 2026

In a calm response, Zille said there are terrible and serious things happening in the world and she takes great interest in those issues. However, she insisted that South Africa also has its own project which has never succeeded on, which is bringing all citizens to live in harmony.

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She further reiterated party’s stance that opposes the genocide case and welcomed ICJ order to prevent harm and ensure aid reaches Gaza.

On social media, the video triggered a surge of commentary, some amused, others scathing.

@JuliRee_Mts “White on white violence “This white man calls out the DA on being racist and calls out their defence on Apartheid during Helen’s campaigns trail.”

@TumishoMasha ”The DA will lose votes for this mark my words.”

@Knick_RSA “We must find this White Brother we need this type of White people in Politics. He speaks truth to power! Right in the Face.”

First published by IOL