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An Arab man South Africans must listen to
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
THIS past week in Johannesburg, I had the privilege of attending a fascinating dinner hosted by Benji Shulman—someone I’ve known for years and who now serves as Executive Director of the Middle East Africa Research Institute. The guest of honour was famed Loay Alshareef who is currently in South Africa. The occasion included several other South Africans eager to engage in a dialogue with Loay.
Alshareef, now based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a Saudi-born Arab linguist, educator, and peace advocate, who has gained global recognition for his transformative journey. Raised in a deeply religious Muslim family in Saudi Arabia, he was initially exposed to anti-Semitic views. In 2010, while studying in France, he lived with a Jewish host family—an experience that profoundly challenged his beliefs and reshaped his worldview. Today, he’s a global voice advocating for peace between Israel and Arab nations.
I had seen Loay’s work on social media before—where he boldly makes the case for Israel’s legitimacy as a nation-state in the Middle East. His content is illuminating, and I salute his courage in a world that remains shockingly hostile to the nation of Israel.
Loay’s journey is remarkable. Once an anti-Israel radical, he was transformed by archaeological evidence and other historical facts —that affirm the deep Jewish connection to the Middle East region.
At dinner, Loay spoke passionately about how archaeology supports Israel’s place in the Middle East. On this, he was spot on. Public figures like actress Noa Tishby and others have done commendable work in explaining these truths, which are too often ignored—largely, I believe, due to antisemitism. For many antisemites, Jewish statehood is unacceptable, and so Jewish history must be erased.
Loay sees the growing ties between Israel and Arab nations as a positive force for the region. Israel is a successful country, open to collaboration with those who welcome it. Arab nations stand to benefit immensely from Israel-Arab partnership. Jordan is a prime example: Israel supplies Jordan with water—a resource essential to survival. And there are surely other initiatives that demonstrate the mutual gains of cooperation. With Israel’s economic strength, opportunities abound for the people of the Middle East.
Loay believes the Abraham Accords are a game-changer and should be expanded to include more Arab nations. I strongly agree.
Importantly, Loay also believes it’s possible to stand with both Israel and Palestine. He supports Palestinians and wants them to live better lives.
He was clear-eyed about Hamas, describing its rule over Gaza as tyrannical. Many Gazans, he said, oppose Hamas—a fact worth highlighting, especially for many South Africans who mistakenly view Hamas as a liberation movement.
I’ve long argued that people must inform themselves before forming strong opinions on geopolitical matters. When it comes to Israel and Palestine, visiting Israel is essential. You cannot understand the reality without seeing it firsthand.
Loay stated unequivocally that there is no apartheid in Israel. Having visited twice myself, I can attest to that. The claim of apartheid is a smear—driven, again, by antisemitism.
About 21% of Israelis are Arabs, and they enjoy equal rights. They vote, participate in governance, and many hold influential positions in Israel. These facts matter. They must be understood before anyone brands Israel an apartheid state.
Loay noted that the Abraham Accords were flourishing before October 7. October 7 complicated the Middle East landscape. He emphasized that Palestinian statehood is not a priority right now. The immediate focus, he said, must be on defeating Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza.
He also pointed out the absence of credible Palestinian leadership willing to make peace with Israel—a critical observation, especially as countries like Canada, France, the UK, and Australia continue to call for Palestinian statehood.
Dan Senor, host of the Call Me Back podcast and one of my favourite American thinkers, has shrewdly argued that granting Palestinian statehood now would allow Hamas to declare October 7 as “Liberation Day.” I agree with Dan.
I supported the Two-State Solution. In a webinar hosted by Ben Gurion University in March last year, I argued in its favour. But after a year of reflection, I’ve changed my view. Not that I’m now against it. I just think it wasn’t the right time to argue for the Two-State Solution. I was wrong to argue in favour of it at that time. Supporting a Palestinian state now would be rewarding terror. That’s just a fact, folks. It’s a fact many don’t want to hear.
As I write this column, Hamas still holds Israeli hostages in Gaza. Despite repeated calls for their release, Hamas refuses—prolonging a war that has cost thousands of Palestinian lives.
Loay is right: there is no appetite for the Two-State Solution in Israel now. Support for it plummeted after October 7. And without Israel’s consent, there’s no Two-State Solution. Leaders of France, Canada, and Britain, should know this.
The real challenge is how to create more voices like Loay’s. We need truth-tellers who can counter disinformation and widespread antisemitism. Loay said clearly: Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza. He’s right. And we need more people around the world to say so. Peace in the Middle East depends on it.
South Africa has much to learn from Arabs like Loay. I learned a lot from him at the dinner and hopefully will learn more from him when I visit the Middle East next year. I hope our President Cyril Ramaphosa reads this column and takes note of Loay’s work. Right now, it seems the President is ill-informed. PM
This article was first published on Politicsweb.co.za. Buy Phumlani’s book Lessons from Past Heroes here, and subscribe to his YouTube channel here.
© PHUMLANI M. MAJOZI