The South African government has condemned the anti-Semitism at the non-governmental conference against racism held in Durban last August. Referring to the "disgraceful events," Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad said the conference was hijacked and turned into an anti-Semitic event. Pahad made his comments in a speech earlier this month at the annual conference of the South African Zionist Federation in Johannesburg. Pahad also used the speech to confirm what he said were "immutable pillars" of South African policy: "unequivocal and unchanging support" for Israel's right to exist within defined borders, in peace and security with its neighbors; utter condemnation of terrorism against Israeli civilians; and total support for an independent Palestinian state. The South African stand carries considerable weight because of the country's post-apartheid moral voice and its leadership role in Africa and the non-aligned movement.