By: Natasha Archary

Ghaleb Cachalia has responded to his removal from the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Shadow Cabinet over recents comments he made on X about Israel.
On 31 October, Cachalia shared, “I will not be silenced. Israel is committing genocide. Full. Bloody. Stop.”
Cachalia’s views on the Israel-Hamas war led to his removal, after party leader, John Steenhuisen sent the now former Shadow MP a letter.
A letter, that was according to Cachalia leaked to media within a few hours.
In his response to being dismissed, Cachalia said he remains loyal to the values and principles of the DA, but contests Steenhuisen’s version of events.
Cachalia received the letter from Steenhuisen on Thursday, 02 November.
“I remain loyal to the values and principles of the DA. This is what always prompted and guided me to speak up against abuse.
I received a letter from John Steenhuisen at 13h10 yesterday informing me that I had been removed from my position as shadow minister.
It is unusual for a letter of dismissal to go into detail.
The letter was sent from his office.
Within a couple of hours, I saw that the letter had been leaked to the media. I contest his version of events.
That said, I have no wish to enter into a ‘he said, she said’ engagement on this.
It is the prerogative of the leader of caucus in parliament to hire and fire members of his cabinet.
I will now proceed to perform my legislative and oversight duties from the backbenches and will ensure that I serve the party and the nation in continuing what I began.
I entered politics to remove Zuma, and followed through to eradicate his legacy of ineptitude and malfeasance which persists in the current ANC.
I will persevere in this regard in the run-up to the election next year.
I will continue to keep a watchful eye on human rights abuses here and globally, and will always speak truth to power.”
Ghaleb Cachalia responds to his dismissal from DA Shadow Cabinet
I will not be silenced.
— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) October 31, 2023
Israel is committing Genocide.
Full 🩸 BLOODY 🩸 stop.
My statement on my dismissal from the DA shadow cabinet pic.twitter.com/AFi9Vf4StJ
— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) November 3, 2023
In his letter to Ghaleb Cachalia, Steenhuisen affirmed that the DA’s Shadow Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Emma Powell would be the party’s spokesperson on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Steenhuisen pointed out that Cachalia’s conduct went against the DA’s foreign policy, including the party’s approach to the Middle East conflict.
Also read: Azikhale: Ngizwe Mchunu not guilty of inciting violence during the July Unrest



