The diplomatic fall-out between the United States and South Africa is only getting worse. In the aftermath of the recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, from Washington, the political leadership of South Africa’s metropolitan city of Johannesburg started taking steps to actualize a previous resolution to rename one of the city’s prime streets after Palestinian freedom fighter, Leila Khaled, triggering threats of backlash from US and Israeli officials.

In 2018, councillors from Johannesburg’s tripartite coalition of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Al Jama-ah parties passed a resolution to rename Sandton Drive after Khaled, an influential Palestinian freedom fighter. The resolution, which was supported by the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African Communist Party, Africa4Palestine, the Young Communist League of South Africa and other political parties and organisations that have traditionally stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine, became subject of an emotive debate as it was strongly opposed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) party and other outfits sympathetic to "Israel".

The symbolic effect of the move

The motive of the name change is to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause through symbolism. At Number 1 Sandton Drive, the US Consulate in Johannesburg sits on the contested road, putting it under symbolic pressure to switch to the new name. Leila Khaled, after whom the street is set to be renamed, is an influential figure in the Palestinian liberation movement. A former member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), she was involved in the hijacking of TWA Flight 840 in 1969 and another hijacking in 1970. She was later released in a prisoner exchange.

ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane, who is strongly in support of the renaming explained, “We want the United States of America embassy to change their letterhead to Number 1 Leila Khaled Drive. We are sending a message that they cannot dominate us and tell us what to do. It must be in their face, it must be in their computers, in their letterheads.” This is what the US is resisting.

Former DA speechwriter Joel Pollak – who is tipped to return to Pretoria as the US Ambassador to South Africa – amplified the US' outrage by threatening repercussions on social media, “Johannesburg’s City Council rejected a motion to rescind the renaming of Sandton Drive for Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled (to force the US Consulate there to use her name on its letterhead),” Pollak said, adding, “The consulate will be closed and not be reopened. It will not be moved and go to another office. The United States will not do business with Johannesburg.”

Critics of the renaming claim that the process was flawed and that residents and businesses in Sandton largely opposed it. They also said the city should prioritise service delivery over symbolic name changes. However, supporters insisted that renaming the street after Leila Khaled – a “poster-child” of Palestinian resistance – would not only honour SA and Palestine’s shared heritage, but also deliver an appropriate political message against US influence.

Attempts to rescind renaming resolution

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Recently councillors from Freedom Front Plus, a right-wing party in South Africa’s ruling coalition government, brought forward a motion to rescind the name-change resolution, resulting in a fierce push-back from majority ANC, EFF and Al Jama-ah councillors. The ANC has historically been aligned with the Palestinian cause, dating back to its ties with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) in the 1950s. ANC and Palestinian freedom fighters shared the trenches across the world for decades in their fight against apartheid and Israeli occupation of Palestine respectively.

‘Shared histories’

Al Jama-ah, which tried and was prevented from erecting a statue of Yasser Arafat on municipal grounds, initially proposed renaming Sandton Drive as Ramallah Drive, but it had to compromise with the EFF, which preferred Leila Khaled Drive. Al Jama-ah Secretary General Faried Achmat says Palestinians had suggested the best way the party could contribute to their cause was to use symbolism to remind people of their struggle.

“Freedom-loving South Africans have no quarrel to keep the Palestinian struggle alive and what a better way for thousands of drivers to see name every day,” he said.

Africa4Palestine spokesperson Alie Komape says the City of Johannesburg is fully within its rights to rename streets and public spaces in honour of individuals who embody shared histories, values and aspirations. “Our own heritage and the fight for decolonisation remind us that this is more than just a name change – it is a profound recognition of our collective struggle against colonialism and oppression,” he said. “Leila Khaled is a close friend of South Africans, in particular, a close friend and comrade to Nelson Mandela. She is an international icon of defiance against oppressive regimes, whose life and struggle resonate deeply with those of oppressed women across the globe.”

Last October, Cosatu called the motion “a powerful gesture of solidarity with the people of Palestine”.

‘A symbol of sovereignty’

Defying mounting Western pressure, South Africans are – in a rare show of unity – overwhelmingly backing the renaming of the street — a symbolic stand for Palestine.

South Africans are usually opposed to street name changes, citing frustrations over neglected infrastructure like potholes and broken streetlights. However, this time around they are mostly in support of the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive, which has galvanised public support, framed as a political statement amid South Africa’s ongoing legal battle against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over genocide in Gaza. The decision has sparked debate over symbolism, sovereignty, and South Africa’s solidarity with Palestine amid escalating aggressions from ‘Israel’ and the US.

The US Consulate in Johannesburg, which could be closed in protest of the renaming, provides key services to residents of Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North-West Provinces. If it closes, South Africans will have to travel to Cape Town or Durban for US visa applications and other consular services.

However, for many South Africans, the significance of this name change transcends local politics. It reflects a defiant assertion of sovereignty and unwavering solidarity with Palestine, both framed as principled resistance to Western and Israeli influence. While the DA and such outfits as The South African Zionist Federation and South African Friends of Israel are especially harsh in their criticism of the resolution, the ANC, EFF, Action SA, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), COSATU, the South African Communist Party, Africa4Palestine, the Young Communist League of South Africa insist that it underscores South Africa’s commitment to self-determination and anti-colonial struggles. Those opposing the name change collected 30,000 signatures from residents of Johannesburg, but its supporters countered by collecting more than 60,000 signatures.

Escalating geopolitical and economic aggressions

The latest diplomatic tiff coincides with heightened friction between South Africa on one side, and the US and "Israel" on the other. South Africa has dragged "Israel" to the ICJ over the on-going genocide in Gaza, infuriating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. The two leaders met recently in Washington to map out strategies of pilling pressure South Africa into dropping the case, including cutting aid, sanctions, and the introduction of a harsh tariff regime.

 ‘A great honour’

In her October 2024 letter to the city of Johannesburg accepting the honour, Khaled said she “eagerly await the opportunity to visit you and walk together down Leila Khaled Drive, a testament to the friendship and shared aspirations between our peoples.”

“As someone who has dedicated my life to the cause of Palestinian liberation, this renaming serves as a powerful symbol of the solidarity between South Africa and Palestine. It is a reflection of shared struggles against oppression and the enduring pursuit of freedom.”