Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
11 March 2023 | 22:00 CAT

Image: Africa4Palestine

Human rights organisation Africa4Palestine has welcomed a historic motion adopted by the South African Parliament to support the downgrade of South Africa’s Embassy in Israel to a Liaison Office. The National Freedom Party introduced the parliamentary motion and passed with 208 in support and 94 against.

Advocacy group Media Review Network (MRN) lauded Shaik Emam and the NFP for tabling what they described as a brave and crucial motion in solidarity with Palestine.

Speaking to Radio Islam International Africa4Palestine’s Alie Komape said the message is from South Africa to Israel that we disagree with the apartheid occupation and have taken steps to express the disagreement.

“South Africa is also saying to Israel and the world that we are tired of playing a mediator role in the negotiations of the Palestinians and Israelis when Israel has no intentions for peace,” he says.

Several civil rights groups have welcomed the move.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry is yet to respond to South Africa’s move.

Many South Africans, including the ruling African National Congress party (ANC), support the Palestinian struggle because they believe what is happening to Palestinians under Israeli occupation is similar to what they experienced in the apartheid era.

South Africa established diplomatic relations with Palestine in 1995 – a year after the end of white-minority rule.

Ever since, Pretoria has remained highly critical of Israel’s continued mistreatment of the Palestinians, including its longstanding policy of building illegal Jewish settlements on Arab land in the occupied West Bank.

Listen to the interview with presenter ML Junaid Kharsany and his guest Allie Komape on Radio Islam’s podcast.