The South African government has been as anti-Israeli as possible, even though tens of millions of his Christian voters support Israel.
On November 21, the South African parliament voted in favor close its Israeli embassy and end diplomatic relations with Israel until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached.
That said, we welcome the meeting on Wednesday between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the leadership of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) at the Presidential Residence in Pretoria.
Outrage at South Africa’s position in the context of the war between Israel and Hamas
South Africa’s small Jewish community, estimated at fewer than 50,000, is seriously concerned that Ramaphosa has not only downgraded relations with Israel, but also on the side of Hamas in the current war, thus sanctioning anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli demonstrations and actions.
The SAJBD asked Ramaphosa:
- Restoring full diplomatic recognition of Israel, including by reopening the South African embassy in Tel Aviv and providing assurance that the Israeli embassy in Pretoria will not be closed to allow the ambassador’s return Israeli in South Africa;
- Speak and/or act against the boycott of Israeli and Jewish businesses in South Africa; And
- Protect the South African Jewish community from anti-Semitic incidents and/or attacks.
In response, Ramaphosa reiterated his country’s position on the current conflict, saying the South African government:
- stands with the Palestinian people who have endured more than seven decades of brutal apartheid-style occupation;
- Condemned the attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023 against Israeli citizens, including women and children;
- demands the return of all hostages;
- Condemns the genocide being inflicted on the Palestinian people, particularly women and children, through collective punishment and continued bombing of Gaza;
- Calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate all atrocities and war crimes committed in Israel and Palestine and to hold all those responsible to account, as well as other matters in a similar tone.
South Africa recalled its Israeli diplomats for consultations after a cabinet meeting held on November 1. “Genocide under the gaze of the international community cannot be tolerated,” Minister for the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said at a news conference explaining the decision.
Ramaphosa told the SAJBD on Tuesday that “South African diplomats recalled to Tel Aviv following the Israeli terrain will remain in South Africa for consultations during the current state of the conflict. However, the government will endeavor to provide all necessary support to South African citizens who require assistance.
At the same time, Ramaphosa highlighted “the government’s denunciation of anti-Semitic behavior towards Jewish people in South Africa, including the boycott of Jewish-owned businesses, and Islamophobia”, and he “has called on all South Africans to remain faithful to the principles of Islamophobia.” the constitution of the country.
Israel recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eli Belotserkovsky, for consultations on November 20 following a threat from South Africa to expel him and a call for the International Criminal Court to issues an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Karen Milner, national president of the SAJBD, called it “very unfortunate” that both countries recalled their envoys in an atmosphere of mutual hostility. “This is happening against the backdrop of a sustained campaign of demonization and intimidation of the Israeli ambassador by the South African ruling party and the South African government, in a manner that is not conducive to dialogue and commitment,” she said.
South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein has courageously spoken out against the Ramaphosa government’s anti-Israel stance, calling it and those marching against Israel “Iran’s useful idiots.”
“The South African government and all global opponents of the State of Israel are on the wrong side of history,” Goldstein said in a video message last month. “In its most recent actions, by withdrawing South African diplomats from Israel and threatening expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, this government is supporting Iran and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, to destroy the State of Israel and spread global jihad. »
We urge South Africa to follow the Chief Rabbi’s advice and reverse course, reinstate its ambassador to Israel and resume healthy relations with the Jewish state. As South Africa prepares for 2024 national and provincial elections, its ANC government should be reminded that the vast majority of its 60 million citizens are Christians who support Israel.
