'Israel' calls expulsion of top diplomatic delegation from AU 'severe'
The Spokesperson for the South African President says that "Israel" must back their claims that their delegation was invited.
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Security guards escorting out the top Israeli diplomatic delegation that snuck into the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 18, 2023. (Screencapture/Twitter)
The Israeli occupation considered on Saturday that the expulsion of its senior diplomatic delegation from the African Union summit is "severe" and "saddening".
An Israeli delegation that snuck into the AU summit on Saturday in Addis Ababa was expelled, as the invitation sent previously to "Israel" to attend the summit's opening was revoked, following pressure from Algeria and South Africa, to bar "Tel Aviv" from participating in any summit-related activities.
The Israeli foreign ministry insisted in its statement that the occupation's deputy for Africa, ambassador Sharon Bar-Li, was an "accredited observer with an entry tag", however, an AU official denied this claim.
An AU official confirmed to AFP that the top diplomat who was "asked to leave" was not invited to attend the meeting, rather only the Israeli ambassador to the union, Aleli Admasu, was on the list.
"It is regrettable that the individual in question would abuse such a courtesy," the official said.
Read more: Aboul Gheit at the AU summit: Al-Quds exposed to ongoing Judaization
A video went viral on social media showing guards escorting the israeli sernior diplomat, Bar-li, out of the summit.
“Israeli observer delegation kicked out of African Union summit in Addis Ababa” video by @WallaNews
— Abier (@abierkhatib) February 18, 2023
Kudos to Algeria and South Africa ❤️#Israel pic.twitter.com/bGpYWUwIpQ
A spokesperson for the South African President told AFP at the summit that "They ["Israel"] must substantiate their claim", meaning the delegation's claim of being invited.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry replied to the development, saying it was "saddening to see the African Union taken hostage by a small number of extremist states like Algeria and South Africa, which are driven by hatred and controlled by Iran," further calling on African countries to "oppose these actions, which harm the African Union movement and the entire continent."
In July 2021, "Israel" was granted the status of an observer member at the AU in a decision made by the AU's Chairperson, Moussa Faki, however, the granting of the status was later suspended in February 2022, following efforts spearheaded by Algeria and South Africa.
Algerian media sources reported earlier this week that stripping "Israel" of its observer status at the union will be on the agenda of the regular African summit held on the 18th and 19th of February.
