Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces fire on Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

S. Africa parliament votes in favor of downgrading ties with 'Israel'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 9 Mar 2023 00:39
3 Min Read

The move, dubbed "a moment [Mandela] would be proud of," infuriated "Israel".

  • x
  • Parliament of South Africa (Reuters)
    Parliament of South Africa (Reuters)

The Israeli Embassy in South Africa's Cape Town is set to be demoted to a liaison office after 208 South African lawmakers voted, in parliament, for the downgrading of ties with "Israel" earlier on Wednesday.

The measure, which was opposed only by 94 lawmakers, was introduced to parliament by the National Freedom Party, which has two members in parliament, to object to policies of apartheid and discrimination against Palestinians.

Despite being a symbolic move, given that action on this was taken by the government four years ago, South Africa still voted in favor of this decision. 

“This is a historic moment for our country and a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and freedom,” South Africa’s National Freedom Party said in a statement after the vote.

"This is a moment [Mandela] would be proud of. He always said our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians," the statement read, adding that "Israel was built through the displacement, murder, and maiming of Palestinians. And to maintain their grip on power, they have instituted apartheid to control and manage Palestinians." 

"As South Africans, we refuse to stand by while apartheid is being perpetrated again," the statement concluded.

Related News

South Africa demands 'Israel' release Gaza flotilla activists

South African ambassador to France found dead in Paris

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENT PASSES HISTORIC RESOLUTION TO DOWNGRADE EMBASSY IN ISRAEL

07 March 2023

READ STATEMENTS BELOW

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL FREEDOM PARTY (NFP) PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS#NFP #NFPinParliament #NFP2024 #MyNFP #IsrealEmbassy pic.twitter.com/Xpt357tIMJ

— National Freedom Party - NFP (@NFP_Updates) March 7, 2023

'Israel' infuriated by a 'symbolic' decision

The South African decision sent "Israel" through the roof. The Israeli Foreign Ministry (MFA) rebuffed the parliament's decision and called it "shameful" and "disgraceful".

“The symbolic resolution taken yesterday by the South African Parliament calling for the downgrading of relations between South Africa and Israel is shameful and disgraceful,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“Even as a symbolic resolution, it does not contribute in the least to the promotion of any viable solution in the Middle East,” it added.

“At a time when many African and Muslim countries are strengthening and deepening ties with the State of Israel for the benefit of everyone’s common interests, it is unfortunate that South Africa continues to adhere to anachronism and the deterioration of relations, a move that will only harm South Africa itself and its standing.”

It is worth noting that in 2018, South Africa recalled its ambassador from "Israel" to protest the IOF's violence against Palestinian protesters.

Read more: 'Israel' calls expulsion of top diplomatic delegation from AU 'severe'

  • South Africa
  • "Israel"
  • National Freedom Party
  • Cape Town
  • Normalizing ties with Israel

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS