South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party announced its support today for a parliamentary proposal to close the Israeli embassy in the country.
This move comes amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with the proposal set to be introduced later today by the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.
The EFF’s proposal, which also calls for the suspension of all diplomatic ties with Israel, is a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
This stance echoes South Africa’s longstanding support for Palestine, a policy initiated during former President Nelson Mandela’s era. Mandela’s government had drawn parallels between the Palestinian struggle and South Africa’s own battle against apartheid, a comparison that Israel has consistently rejected.
The ANC stated, “The African National Congress will endorse a parliamentary motion urging the government to shut down Israel’s embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations until Israel agrees to a ceasefire.” The Israeli embassy has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ANC’s announcement and the upcoming parliamentary discussion.
While the proposal is largely symbolic, its implementation depends on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government. Ramaphosa and senior foreign ministry officials have openly criticized Israel’s military campaign against Hamas and have called on the International Criminal Court to investigate potential war crimes.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s opposition to Israel’s operations in Gaza, particularly targeting hospitals, during a recent visit to Qatar. Earlier this month, South Africa had recalled its diplomats from Israel, further underscoring its stance on the conflict. This development represents a significant diplomatic stance by South Africa, reflecting its historical and current geopolitical positioning.
