Cape Town – Members of Parliament have endorsed the closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa, setting the stage for the severance of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
This decision is contingent upon Tel Aviv agreeing to a ceasefire and committing to engage in binding, UN-mediated negotiations.
The motion in the National Assembly, initiated by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), mirrors the government’s disapproval of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The ANC and the government view these actions as a breach of international law and human rights, characterizing them as “a genocide against the people of Palestine.”
EFF leader, Julius Malema, welcomed the development, emphasising the importance of protecting human rights globally.
“We want to applaud the ANC for its maturity on this matter. It doesn’t matter, politically, we can disagree, but when it comes to issues of humanity, we must protect the human rights of all human beings all over the world,” Malema said.
South Africa’s National Assembly adopts EFF motion calling for cutting diplomatic ties with Israel https://t.co/6uqsUYy9Zi
— Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) November 21, 2023
The motion, supported by other parties, involves closing the South African embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli embassy in Pretoria.
However, some parties, including the DA, IFP, FF Plus, and ACDP, opposed the move, arguing that it could hinder South Africa’s involvement in peace talks.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
