South Africa’s support for Palestine has made it one of the few countries willing to openly challenge Israel on the international stage. However, according to social justice activist Hassan Lorgat, that position has also intensified efforts by organised Zionist advocacy groups to influence public debate, media coverage and political discourse within the country.
Drawing on decades of experience in trade unions, civil society and Palestine solidarity activism, Lorgat argues that Zionist advocacy in South Africa is neither informal nor fragmented. Instead, he describes it as a well-established network of organisations, media platforms and advocacy bodies working to shape public opinion on Israel and Palestine while responding forcefully to criticism of the Israeli state.
“The Zionist lobby is a powerful one in this country,” Lorgat told One Nation Media (ONM).
He noted that the South African Zionist Federation traces its history to before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. In his view, that long history has enabled the development of networks that engage the media, advocacy organisations and public institutions through coordinated campaigns and messaging.
According to Lorgat, these organisations invest significant effort in influencing media narratives. He said supporters are encouraged to participate in talk radio discussions, challenge pro-Palestine perspectives and respond quickly to commentary viewed as hostile to Israel.
“They fight very, very hard, and they are powerful adversaries. We’d be foolish to just ignore them,” he said.
During the interview, Lorgat referred to the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and the South African Jewish Report (SAJR) as organisations that actively participate in debates around Israel and Palestine.
He argued that advocacy against antisemitism has, in some instances, broadened to the point where criticism of Israel risks being treated as antisemitic, creating what he believes is a chilling effect on public discussion.
For Lorgat, the issue extends beyond the Middle East. He argues that attempts to restrict criticism of Israel ultimately affect South Africa’s democratic culture by narrowing the space for dissent and debate.
“If we work consistently on tracking how Zionism works to undermine open discussion and the free exchange of views, especially critical views, the principle of dissent is quite important. If they limit that, they limit our democracy,” he told ONM.
Pressure over South Africa’s ICJ case
Lorgat believes South Africa’s decision to institute genocide proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice marked a turning point, increasing pressure on the country’s foreign policy and public institutions.
While acknowledging that South Africa has generally provided greater space for pro-Palestine voices than many Western countries, he believes that independence has come under growing strain since the case was filed.
“South Africa is also under pressure, and has been under pressure, for taking the ICJ case,” he said.
He pointed to developments in Europe and North America, where pro-Palestine activists have faced arrests, legal action and growing restrictions on protests, arguing that similar pressures are increasingly visible internationally.
Media narratives and online campaigns
Lorgat identified the media as one of the principal arenas in which competing narratives over Palestine are contested.
While acknowledging that several South African media organisations have provided consistent coverage of Palestine, he argued that much of the country’s news agenda remains dependent on international wire services and broadcasters whose framing of the conflict is reproduced locally.
He also expressed concern about the increasing use of coordinated online messaging.
According to Lorgat, advances in artificial intelligence and digital communication have made it easier to produce and circulate content capable of deepening existing social divisions. However, he argued that technology alone does not explain the spread of these narratives, pointing instead to organised networks of individuals working alongside automated accounts to amplify particular political messages.
He said recurring narratives around immigration, corruption, South Africa’s ICJ case and nationalist politics often reinforce one another, contributing to hostility towards migrants while distracting attention from deeper structural problems such as poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“It’s easier now to put together a quick video to amplify differences into divisions,” he said.
Lorgat argued that bots alone do not explain such campaigns. Instead, he believes organised human networks work alongside automated accounts and coordinated messaging to dominate online conversations and create the impression of widespread public consensus.
Rather than viewing migration as South Africa’s central challenge, Lorgat argued that economic hardship and weakened community structures have created fertile ground for campaigns that redirect public frustration towards vulnerable groups.
Follow the money
Lorgat called for greater scrutiny of the financial and organisational structures behind coordinated advocacy campaigns.
He argued that cybercrime investigators, regulators and law enforcement agencies should examine funding sources, anonymous social media accounts, recurring messaging patterns and coordinated online activity more closely.
“Follow the money, follow the money,” he said.
He also referred to previous campaigns that highlighted sponsored visits to Israel involving journalists, students, parliamentarians and religious leaders, arguing that greater transparency is needed around such engagements.
Rebuilding solidarity
Despite his concerns, Lorgat believes the long-term response lies not in censorship but in rebuilding community organisations, strengthening democratic participation and addressing the socio-economic conditions that make divisive narratives attractive.
He argued that progressive organisations, trade unions and community structures have become increasingly fragmented at a time when coordinated political campaigns have grown more sophisticated.
“Whereas they want to use machines, we have to get together in public places, rebuild community organisations and rebuild street committees,” he said.
For Lorgat, strengthening public institutions, tackling inequality and restoring social justice are essential to reducing social tensions and protecting democratic debate.
He concluded by urging independent media and civil society organisations to work more closely together to promote justice-centred journalism and public accountability.
“The struggle is going to be long, and we need each other.”
