JOHANNESBURG: The South African Parliament has approved an amended motion, originally proposed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), urging the government to close the Israeli embassy in the country and suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel.
The motion, with amendments introduced by the African National Congress (ANC), calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine and emphasizes a commitment to UN-facilitated negotiations for “a just, sustainable, and lasting peace.”
The motion received strong support from the ANC and EFF, amassing a total of 248 votes, including those from the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), and Al Jama-ah. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) opposed the motion, gathering 91 votes.
The passing of the amended motion comes against the backdrop of Israel recalling its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, to Jerusalem for consultations. Despite the opposition’s concerns about the potential implications of the motion, ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina expressed no surprise at the opposing parties’ stance.
“We, the people of South Africa, know what it means when you are killed, when women are killed, and when children are killed. We are victims of that. We are not ashamed to support Palestine fully,” Majodina stated, highlighting the ANC’s commitment to the Palestinian cause.
EFF leader Julius Malema commended the ANC for its maturity in supporting the amendment, indicating a rare moment of cooperation between the two parties. The DA’s Emma Powell, however, raised concerns about the potential consequences of the motion, suggesting that over 25,000 South Africans in Israel would lose consular services.
The EFF has previously initiated controversial motions, such as the proposal to expropriate land without compensation, which received support from the ANC two years ago. Critics argue that the ANC-led government’s alignment with the EFF on certain issues may impact South Africa’s role in international affairs.
Opposition parties warned that the amended motion might negatively impact South Africa’s involvement in peace negotiations in the Middle East. FF+ Chief Whip Corné Mulder criticized the ANC for following the EFF’s lead, drawing parallels with the motion to expropriate land without compensation. Critics argued that South Africa’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its approach to diplomatic relations could have broader consequences on the international stage.
While the passing of the motion is seen as a victory for those supporting the Palestinian cause, it has raised concerns about the potential fallout in diplomatic relations and the effectiveness of South Africa’s involvement in facilitating peace talks. The motion’s long-term implications remain uncertain, and its impact on South Africa’s foreign policy and international standing will likely be subject to further scrutiny and debate.
