The African National Congress supports a motion to close Israel's embassy in South Africa and suspend diplomatic ties amid Gaza conflict. (YouTube/Screengrab)
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South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), has announced its support for a parliamentary motion to shut down the Israeli embassy in the country.
The ANC’s endorsement comes in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the party also backing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for the International Criminal Court to probe Israel for potential war crimes. The motion, proposed by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters, also advocates for the suspension of all diplomatic ties with Israel until a ceasefire is agreed upon.
The ANC’s stance is rooted in South Africa’s historical support for Palestine, drawing parallels between the struggles of Palestinians and Black South Africans under apartheid. The motion’s implementation, however, ultimately rests with Ramaphosa’s administration.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, likening them to the practices of apartheid South Africa. The country has not had an ambassador to Israel since 2018, and earlier this month, it recalled its diplomats from the country.
