Politics · Other · 6 hrs ago
Durban mayoral candidate says he would welcome Netanyahu
Haniff Hoosen, a mayoral candidate in Durban, says he would welcome Benjamin Netanyahu if a visit benefited residents.
Hoosen is running for the Democratic Alliance in eThekwini, the municipality that includes Durban, where local elections are due on 4 November.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
South Africa is a party to the treaty establishing the court and is obligated to cooperate with it.
Hoosen said his priority would be improving conditions in a city he described as “falling apart.”
Durban faces water shortages, sewage spills, crime and deteriorating infrastructure, issues that have fuelled public frustration.
The election will decide which parties compete for control of eThekwini, as Hoosen’s remarks draw criticism.
Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen says he would welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Durban if the visit benefited residents.
Hoosen made the remarks during a mayoral debate earlier this week.
Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant against him in November 2024.
South Africa is a party to the Rome Statute and is obligated to cooperate with the ICC.
South Africa’s local government elections are due on 4 November.
- Who
- Haniff Hoosen, the Democratic Alliance’s candidate for eThekwini mayor, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Hoosen said he would welcome Netanyahu to Durban if the visit benefited the city’s residents.
- When
- Hoosen made the remarks earlier this week, before the local government elections on 4 November.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Hoosen said he would do so if the visit benefited the people of the city.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Hoosen said during a mayoral debate that he would welcome Netanyahu if the visit benefited Durban’s residents.
South Africa’s local government elections are scheduled to take place.
- Candidate
- Haniff Hoosen
- Party
- Democratic Alliance
- City
- Durban, also known as eThekwini
- ICC warrant
- Issued against Netanyahu in November 2024
- Election date
- 4 November
What people are saying
Why shouldn't I if he comes to visit the city?
If there is a benefit for the people of the city through that visit, I will certainly do it
people will know what they can expect from me
What I will not do is tell people one thing and do something completely different
Posts on X
eThekwini Mayoral Debate 2026 The Double Standard that Creates Mistrust You’ve congratulated Navi Pillay in public. Would You Welcome Netanyahu to eThekwini?* The DA's Haniff Hoosen’s response during the eThekwini Mayoral Debate: Hoosen said he would welcome Netanyahu if