South Africa considers closing Israeli embassy

Pretoria’s cabinet will reach a final decision on the matter by the end of the year, according to an official

The Cabinet is expected to decide by the end of the year on the potential closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria.

This was revealed by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.

Responding to a question from EFF MP Virgill Gericke about the steps he has taken in honouring and executing the November 2023 resolution of the National Assembly to close down the Israeli embassy, Lamola said consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster system to prepare a memorandum for submission to the Cabinet.

”In accordance with the constitutional principle of the separation of powers, the authority to decide on the possible closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa rests solely with the Cabinet.

”Once Cabinet has deliberated and reached a final destination, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will act in accordance with these directives,” he said.

Lamola indicated that the Israeli embassy remained downgraded.

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”The downgraded embassy only just facilitates the normal processes of visa and travelling of civilians between the two countries, with no full operation of a full embassy in terms of liaising on political, diplomatic, and also economic relations between the two countries.”

He also said since the matter was processed through the Cabinet process, he was unable to specify the date it will be resolved.

”But I can state that before the end of the year, Cabinet will have processed the matter.”

Asked what outside forces were exerting pressure on the Cabinet or the government to relent on its initial resolve to close the Israeli embassy, Lamola said the authority to decide on the possible closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa rests solely with the Cabinet.

”Cabinet has to undergo its internal processes, which it will be undergoing to deal with this matter, and it is being processed.

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”It will be processed objectively, in line with the South African constitution, with no external pressure to be exerted on the South African government by any forces or anyone. The South African government will act within its sovereignty to make decisions informed by facts, policies, the Constitution, the National Development Plan, and national interests,” he said.

Asked whether his department has considered other measures like economic sanctions against Israel as part of intensifying pressure against the continued Israeli attacks and aggression against Palestine, Lamola said the matter will require the Cabinet to deliberate on whether to exert economic sanctions and any other pressures that may need to be executed.

”But the South African government will continue to support the work that has been done by other countries. The European Union, its member states, have also begun to sanction some of the leaders of the Israeli regime in terms of economic sanctions, and also some countries like those in the G-7 have announced this type of measures.”

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He explained that the existing decision that has been taken relates to taking the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice.

Lamola also said economic sanctions against Israel will require all countries to play a role through various instruments.

”The wheel is coming to a full cycle with all member countries of the UN, either putting economic sanctions, political pressure through diplomatic channels, and we are leading the legal route of the process. So there is a contribution by many member states of the UN to continue to exert the necessary pressure to stop the ongoing genocide by the Israel Defense Force.”

Pressed on whether cutting diplomatic ties with Israel effectively disqualified South Africa from playing any mediating role in the much-needed peace process, Lamola said that as the Cabinet was processing the matter, all factors would be considered.

”But the resolution we are talking about is because it is a parliamentary resolution which the Cabinet is duty-bound to consider within the principle, obviously, of the separation of powers.

”We will look into all the facts and all the prevailing circumstances and present a way forward.”

He said South Africa’s position with regard to the two-state solution was firmly remaining.

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”We continue with that position in the various platforms of the United Nations. We continue to argue for a reason for cessation of hostilities, for the Israel Defense Force to stop its military operation in Gaza and the West Bank. We continue to call for humanitarian access to the people of Gaza and the West Bank. We continue to call for an immediate dialogue and cessation of fire that must lead to engagement towards the two-state solution,” Lamola added.

First published by IOL