Praise for SA’S sanction of Israel

SOUTH Africa appears to be on the path of taking long-term action to hold Israel accountable in the wake of the killing of 60 Palestinians amid protests in Gaza this week.

The government has resolved to downgrade its embassy in Israel to a liaison office in line with an undertaking at the ANC’S 54th national conference and a move supported by the opposition National Freedom Party.

ANC MP Mandla Mandela issued a statement supporting the motion, which is to be tabled in the National Assembly, and called for an “intensification of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions campaign”.

At a press conference on Thursday, the NFP’S Ahmed Shaik Emam said: “Countries have been far too patient while people are killed and international law is ignored. Today we want action. The NFP will help ensure action is taken against the apartheid regime of Israel. The time to act is now. All the rhetoric in the world is fruitless if no real action is taken.”

The move will enable Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Lindiwe Sisulu to downgrade the embassy in Tel Aviv, a step some have said was long overdue.

South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Israel and embassy there flowed from apartheid-era relations.

A downgrade will have longterm effects on relations, which have often been strained, not least because of Israel’s support for the apartheid regime.

Israeli lobbyists have criticised the plan, with the SA Jewish Board of Deputies and SA Zionist Federation terming it “unfair” and “discriminatory”.

But the downgrade has been welcomed by groups such as the SA Jews for a Free Palestine which said, “We believe this is one of the most practical things South Africa can do to contribute to a just peace in Palestine-israel”.

Last year, a group of Israelis wrote to the ANC supporting the call for a downgrade of relations and support of the Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel.

“We believe the time has come for further measures. Governments, including South Africa’s, should be downgrading diplomatic relations and embassies, to send a clear message to Israel that its violations of international law are unacceptable,” read the letter.