US Losing Influence in Africa as Russia, China, Iran Gain Ground

South Africa's Chief Rabbi, Dr. Warren Goldstein, warns that the US is losing its influence in Africa as Russia, China, and Iran expand their presence, and that the ruling ANC is aligning itself with these anti-Western foes.

South Africa's Chief Rabbi, Dr. Warren Goldstein, has issued a dire warning to the US, asserting that Russia, China, and Iran are making significant inroads across Africa, posing a serious threat to American influence on the continent.

Goldstein, speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital in Johannesburg, emphasized that these geopolitical rivals are exploiting the weakening of democracies in Africa, creating opportunities for alliances with countries that share their ideologies.

Goldstein pointed out that South Africa's government has aligned itself with Russia, China, and Iran, despite the concerns raised by the US and other Western allies. This alignment, he said, has strained relations between the US and South Africa.

He stressed that the ANC government's actions do not reflect the values of the South African people, who generally do not share the ANC's affinity for these countries.

Rabbi Goldstein emphasized that American values are at stake in Africa and that a stronger US presence is crucial for promoting freedom and democracy. He urged the Biden administration to take a more proactive approach to engagement on the continent.

However, a State Department spokesperson responded that the US has a strong relationship with South Africa based on shared values and interests, but acknowledged that the US is not distracted by the actions of other countries.

Analysts have accused the ANC of exerting undue influence on the South African government, leading the country to distance itself from the West. Goldstein echoed these concerns, highlighting the ANC's "cadre deployment" policy, which places party loyalists in influential government positions.

The ANC has rejected this criticism, stating that decisions are made by the state, not the party, and that the government's values align with those of the people it represents.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the main opposition party in South Africa, has taken a different stance, claiming that the ANC's control over the government's human resources department has allowed it to position its cadres in key roles, including in state-owned enterprises and independent state institutions.

Rabbi Goldstein also denounced the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling against Israel, which he described as an attack on the country's right to self-defense and a threat to the US and other free nations. He criticized the composition of the court, which he said includes judges from countries that do not represent free democracies.

The South African government defended its support for the ICJ's decision, arguing that it is consistent with their principled position on the Palestine/Israeli conflict and that they are seeking to protect the Palestinian people from alleged genocidal acts.

Goldstein noted a paradox in South Africa, where the government has taken a pro-Palestinian, pro-Hamas stance, yet antisemitism is relatively low among ordinary South Africans. He attributed this to the enduring spirit of unity and diversity that characterizes the country, which he said is at odds with the ANC government's values.

The ANC government has rejected allegations of antisemitism, stating that it is not anti-Israel and certainly not pro-Hamas, accusing critics of using false and manufactured narratives to silence them.