South Africans fighting alongside IOF in Gaza will face arrest: FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Israeli media
14 Mar 2024 04:22
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South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor advocates for protests outside the embassies of what she referred to as the "five primary supporters" of "Israel".

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor delivers her closing remarks following a meeting with Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (not seen) in Pretoria on March 5, 2024. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor announced earlier this week that South African citizens fighting with the Israeli occupation forces or alongside them in the Gaza Strip will face arrest upon returning home.

At a Palestinian solidarity event, Pandor advocated for protests outside the embassies of what she referred to as the "five primary supporters" of "Israel" and its aggression on Gaza without naming them.

"I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and are fighting alongside or in" the Israel occupation forces, she said.

"We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you."

In December, the South African Foreign Ministry expressed concern that some citizens or permanent residents had joined the Israeli occupation forces to take part in the battles in Gaza, warning that they could be prosecuted if they had not obtained authorization under South Africa's arms control laws.

According to the Foreign Ministry, those with dual South African-Israeli citizenship could risk losing their South African citizenship in this case.

'Israel' concerned

Touching on the matter, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Wednesday that "Israel" has become concerned following Pandor's statements.

The newspaper mentioned that the Israeli occupation government and military are increasingly worried about some countries arresting soldiers, reservists, or even ex-fighters over their role in the war in Gaza.

Haaretz revealed that the Israeli chief military advocate is currently mapping out the countries that have threatened arrest and is expected soon to contact soldiers holding dual citizenship to guide them on how to act if they wish to visit these countries.

It is noteworthy that last week, South Africa petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to impose fresh emergency measures on "Israel" over the "widespread starvation" resulting from its war on the Gaza Strip.

It is the second time Pretoria has asked the court for additional measures -- its first request in February was denied.

South Africa said it was "compelled to return to the Court in light of the new facts and changes in the situation in Gaza -- particularly the situation of widespread starvation" during the war.

Pretoria said its application may be "the last opportunity that this Court shall have to save the Palestinian people in Gaza already dying of starvation, and now 'one step' from famine," citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Dire shortages of food and water amid the war have resulted in the death of at least 18 Palestinians, the Health Ministry in Gaza emphasized.

"Palestinian children are starving to death as a direct result of the deliberate acts and omissions of Israel -- in violation of the Genocide Convention and of the Court's Order," charged South Africa.

In a ruling in mid-January that made headlines worldwide, the ICJ, based in The Hague, ordered "Israel" to do everything it could to prevent genocide during its war on Gaza. The court also ruled that "Israel" must allow aid into Gaza to ease the desperate humanitarian situation there.

These were "provisional measures", emergency steps "Israel" needed to take while the court assesses the wider issue of whether it is committing genocide in Gaza -- which could take years.

South Africa has accused "Israel" of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention during the ongoing war. It hailed the January judgement as a victory and said it should lead to a ceasefire.

However, in mid-February, the court rejected a request by South Africa to pressure the Israeli occupation to halt an invasion of the Gazan city of Rafah.