South Africa's ANC and Israeli State Relations Hit New Low Amid Calls to Shut Israeli Embassy, Boycott Goods

The seemingly tempestuous phase in the political relation between the African National Congress (ANC) and the State of Israel has taken a new turn. The ANC’s Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane, made a heavyweight call for the Israeli embassy in South Africa to be shut down, the ambassador to pack his bags, and a comprehensive boycott of goods imported from Israel. These drastic measures are suggestions to address the rift in views between the two parties, particularly over the situation in Gaza.

However, Israel’s Ambassador to South Africa, Eli Belotsercovsky, has given a firm response to Mokonyane’s call. He stated candidly, "we can talk, we can work out our misunderstandings or differences of opinion." Despite his disagreement with South Africa’s official stance on Gaza's situation, he believes open dialogue is more beneficial than division.

Addressing the ANC government's claim of Israeli leadership's arrogance and unwillingness to engage on the Gaza topic, the ambassador assured his continued endorsement for conversation and dialogue, emphasizing openness to meetings and discussions on any issue, including Gaza.

The ambassador spoke about Gaza hostages and called on humanitarian organisations to ensure the aid also reaches the Israeli hostages, confessing that there is no room for dialogue with Hamas, which they plan to destroy to defend their citizens and provide freedom to people in Gaza. He also mentioned the significant involvement of Iran through Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon.

Additionally, he mourned the increasing death toll from the terror attack on October 7, with unidentified bodies and casualties discovered daily, along with orphaned children following the loss of their parents in the attack.