Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-04-29
COSATU, the South African Communist Party and Boycott Divestment and Sanctions South Africa (BDS) are demanding the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Arthur Lenk be expelled.
This is in response to Israel’s refusal to grant Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande a visa.
Nzimande was due to conduct a six day working visit to Palestine to follow up on cooperative agreements signed when Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited South Africa.
But he’s spokesperson said the Israeli embassy informed him on Wednesday night last week that he would not be allowed to travel and had been deemed an enemy of Israel.
BDS’ South Africa’s Kwara Kekana says if the International Relations Department does not expel the Israeli ambassador, the organizations would tack action.
“I think now more than ever it’s time to pressure the government to take concrete steps on the question of Palestine.”
She says the organizations will be protesting the denial of a visa to higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
“The program of action has been rolled out by these progress organisations and among a lot of them is a protest outide the Israeli embassy on the 15th of May.”
The International Relations Department says the Israeli government’s refusal to allow Nzimande into Palestine cannot be taken lightly and it will seek Israel’s reasons for doing so before further action is taken.
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