South Africa has taken steps to sever ties with Israel over the ongoing violence in Gaza. On Tuesday afternoon, the country’s national assembly members voted to close the Israel liaison office in South Africa.
248 Members of Parliament voted in favour of cutting ties, while 91 voted against the motion.
South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, supported the motion brought by its third-largest opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters.
“Let us be clear: this is not a religious war. This is not Israel from the Bible; people are being killed in this Israel; this is Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israel. This is not the Israel of Jesus Christ,” ANC MP Pemmy Majodina told the house.
WATCH: SA Parliament votes to cut the cord with Israel
ALSO READ: BRICS Summit on Gaza violence: South Africa accuses Israel of committing ‘genocide and war crimes’
Severing ties with Israel long time coming
South Africa’s national assembly vote came after an extraordinary BRICS Summit on Gaza.
In his capacity as BRICS chair, the country’s president convened a meeting with emerging nations’ member states, saying the ongoing violence was a cause for global concern.
In that meeting, Ramaphosa called on the international community to stand in solidarity with Palestine and implement the following:
- An immediate ceasefire on both sides
- The opening of humanitarian corridors
- Countries to desist from fueling the conflict
- Immediate release of all hostages
- Resumption of dialogue by the UN
- The International Criminal Court must pursue criminal charges
“The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime. The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide”.
“The actions by Israel are in clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention read together with its protocols. In its attacks on civilians and by taking hostages, Hamas has also violated international law and must be held accountable for these actions,” Ramaphosa added.
On Monday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, for consultations on South Africa’s stance.
Belotserkovsky’s recall came after he was démarched by South Africa over his remarks about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, also confirmed the country’s ambassador to the International Criminal Court personally delivered a referral for prosecution to the Hague.
ALSO READ: Israel-Hamas war puts China’s strategy of ‘balanced diplomacy’ in the Middle East at risk
Severing ties is more symbolic than economic
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) South Africa had a negative trade balance with Israel in August 2023.
It imported more goods than it exported. The trade relationship saw growth in certain export categories and a decline in specific import categories, contributing to the overall trade dynamics between the two countries during the specified period.
South Africa-Israel trade balance
South Africa exported goods worth ZAR227 million to Israel while importing Israel goods worth ZAR266.
The negative trade balance indicates that South Africa imported more from Israel than it exported, resulting in a trade deficit of ZAR39.1 million.
Trade Trends:
Between August 2022 and August 2023, South Africa’s exports to Israel increased by ZAR36.7 million (19.3%) from ZAR190 million to ZAR227 million.
During the same period, imports from Israel decreased by ZAR-26 million (-8.89%) from ZAR292 million to ZAR266 million.
Top Exports from South Africa to Israel (August 2023):
- Coal Briquettes (ZAR457M)
- Diamonds (ZAR74.8M)
- Grapes (ZAR59.3M)
- Fruit Juice (ZAR11.5M)
- Large Flat-Rolled Stainless Steel (ZAR5.44M)
Top Imports from Israel to South Africa (August 2023):
- Scrap Copper (ZAR52.7M)
- Tool Plates (ZAR25.5M)
- Cement Articles (ZAR12.6M)
- Plastic Lids (ZAR10.5M)
- Centrifuges (ZAR8.25M)
- Origins of Trade (August 2023):
