In a recent parliamentary session, Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), made a strong appeal to President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging him to follow through on a resolution to shut down the Israeli embassy in South Africa and cut all ties with Israel. Malema acknowledged the President’s efforts in mobilising international support for the Palestinian cause but expressed frustration over the government’s hesitation to take more decisive action.
“President, we must appreciate the role that you have played when it comes to the International Court of Justice and the fact that South Africa mobilised the international community in support of the Palestinian question. We appreciate that,” Malema stated. However, he was quick to remind the President that Parliament had passed a resolution calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy and the severing of all diplomatic ties with Israel. “For the pact of the future, this Parliament took a resolution that we must close the Israeli embassy in South Africa and cut all ties,” Malema declared.
Malema pressed the President on why the resolution had not yet been implemented, asking why Ramaphosa appeared reluctant to act. “Why are you scared to act on this resolution?” Malema asked, asserting that South Africa could not “be associated with murderers,” referring to the Israeli government’s military actions in the Palestinian territories.
President Ramaphosa, in his response, reassured Parliament that the issue was being considered by the executive. He acknowledged the importance of the matter and stated that his administration was actively reviewing South Africa’s diplomatic relationship with Israel. “These are matters that the executive is considering in a very active manner,” Ramaphosa said, though he did not offer specifics on when a decision might be made or what form it might take.
South Africa has long supported the Palestinian cause, a stance that stems from its own history of apartheid and the solidarity that the African National Congress (ANC) has historically extended to other anti-colonial and liberation movements. Since the end of apartheid, South African governments have maintained a critical stance on Israeli policies, particularly regarding the occupation of Palestinian territories.
In 2019, South Africa downgraded its embassy in Tel Aviv to a liaison office, a move that followed a resolution passed by the ANC two years earlier. However, Malema and other critics believe that these actions are insufficient, arguing that a complete severance of diplomatic and trade relations would send a stronger message to Israel and the international community about South Africa’s commitment to justice and human rights.
The call to shut down the Israeli embassy has garnered significant attention within South Africa. Pro-Palestinian activists and civil society organisations have largely supported Malema’s stance, arguing that it aligns with the country’s historical commitment to opposing oppression. On the other hand, some in South Africa’s Jewish community and others who favour maintaining ties with Israel have expressed concerns that such a move could damage South Africa’s economic interests and diplomatic standing.
South Africa’s role in supporting Palestine on the global stage has been noteworthy. The country has consistently voted in favour of United Nations resolutions critical of Israeli policies and has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights at international forums. Recently, South Africa supported Palestine’s call for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. This initiative has been seen as part of a broader effort to hold Israel accountable through international legal channels.
While Malema commended South Africa’s diplomatic efforts on the global stage, he made it clear that stronger action is needed. His call for the closure of the Israeli embassy is consistent with the EFF’s broader foreign policy platform, which prioritises anti-imperialism and solidarity with liberation movements around the world. Malema has long been a vocal critic of Israeli policies, frequently comparing them to the apartheid regime that once governed South Africa.
President Ramaphosa, for his part, is facing the challenge of balancing his administration’s foreign policy commitments with the realities of South Africa’s diplomatic and economic interests. While his government has been supportive of the Palestinian cause, it remains to be seen whether the President will take the dramatic step of shutting down the Israeli embassy.
For now, the issue remains unresolved, but the parliamentary session made clear that Malema and the EFF will continue to push for a decisive break with Israel, framing it as a moral imperative in line with South Africa’s historical struggle against apartheid and its ongoing commitment to human rights.
