Israel condemns South Africa for voting to formalise a four-year-old government decision to cut ties with the Jewish state.
South Africa recalled its ambassador from Israel in 2018 to protest the Israeli forces response to Palestinian rioters along its southern border with Gaza during the Hamas-led Great March of Return.
In 2019 it decided to downgrade both its diplomatic ties with the country and the embassy to the status of a liaison office. Parliament voted on a resolution to downgrade those ties on Tuesday night. This is seen as a symbolic move given that government took action on the matter four years ago.
“This is a historic moment for our country and a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and freedom,” the National Freedom Party (NFP) said in a statement following the vote.
The move comes as Israel seeks to strengthen ties with Muslim and Middle Eastern countries. The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing its disapproval with the decision.
“At a time when many African and Muslim countries are strengthening and deepening ties with the State of Israel for the benefit of everyone’s common interests, it is unfortunate that South Africa continues to adhere to anachronism and the deterioration of relations, a move that will only harm South Africa itself and its standing.”