South Africans fighting for 'Israel' can be prosecuted back home
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Cyril Ramaphosa, once again, describes the Israeli war on Gaza as a genocide.
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Pro-Palestinian supporters demonstrate at the entrance to the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, on Oct. 20, 2023 (AP)
The South African government recently revealed that natives fighting for "Israel" by joining Israeli occupation forces could be prosecuted at home, as the country's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, once again, declared the Israeli war on Gaza a genocide.
In a statement, the South African Foreign Ministry expressed "grave concerns" over reports that some South African nationals have joined the IOF to fight in Gaza or are considering doing so.
“Such action can potentially contribute to the violation of international law and the commission of further international crimes, thus making them liable for prosecution in South Africa,” the statement said.
Although the number of South African nationals was not shared by the Ministry, authorities have already begun tracking them down. Furthermore, nationals will have to get the approval of the government before fighting "Israel's" war, which could strip them of their nationality as it is a war the country "does not support or agree with."
South Africa parliament passes motion to close Israeli embassy
In November, the South African parliament voted in favor of closing the Israeli embassy, expelling the Israeli ambassador, and cutting diplomatic ties with the Israeli occupation in rejection of the brutal war waged by the occupation of Gaza.
The motion was passed with 248 votes in favor and 91 against. Introduced by the leftwing opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the motion was backed by the ruling African National Congress and opposed by members of the centrist-party, white-majority Democratic Alliance (DA), which is considered pro-Israeli.
Previously, Ramaphosa said his country believes "Israel" is committing war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa, highly critical of the Israeli aggression on Gaza against the Palestinian Resistance, has withdrawn its diplomats from "Israel".
Its longstanding support for Palestinians traces back to the days of former President Nelson Mandela, drawing parallels between their struggle and South Africa's fight against apartheid. However, "Israel" rejects this comparison. "The African National Congress will agree to a parliamentary motion which calls upon the government to close the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel until Israel agrees to a ceasefire," the ANC said in a statement.
The move comes amid the Israeli-led genocide in Gaza, with the ANC and senior officials strongly criticizing "Israel's" actions and calling for an investigation by the International Criminal Court into war crimes.
