EFF escalates calls for closure of Israeli embassy as SA is warned of US retaliation

Since 2023, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken a firm stand against the Israeli state, voicing strong calls for the immediate closure of the Israeli embassy and the cessation of all diplomatic ties between South Africa and Israel.

Yesterday, Julius Malema, the party's fiery leader, reiterated these demands during a press conference, following the controversial declaration of Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, as persona non grata.

Others, on the other hand, have raised concerns that the country could be subjected to additional tariffs from the United States in retaliation.

Malema further called for South Africa and the rest of the continent to 'stand up to bullies such as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu', whose 'violent and imperialistic nature has resulted in untold atrocities in Palestine and, recently, Venezuela'.

Malema, was speaking on Sunday at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.

On Saturday, Malema characterised Trump as "the naked face of what the USA has always been – violent, imperialist and evil”,  during the first day of the party's 3rd National People's Assembly (NPA), which concluded on Sunday.

"We must stand together against imperialism and the dictatorship of Donald Trump. That thing of SA sending Ariel Seidman packing was a proper decision. This is the kind of decision we support as the EFF. However, we want the whole  Israeli embassy to be closed down," Malema said on Sunday.

The backdrop of Malema's comments stems from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) notifying Israel that Seidman was being deemed an undesirable person.

DIRCO spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, confirmed that this action was in response to a series of unacceptable diplomatic misconducts that threatened South Africa’s sovereignty. These included derogatory comments about President Cyril Ramaphosa made through official Israeli channels and a failure to communicate visits from senior Israeli officials.

Phiri stressed that such actions are not merely breaches of diplomatic decorum but also clear violations of the Vienna Convention, which safeguards these important international relations. 

"Such actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention. They have systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations," Phiri stated.

While Malema voiced his strong support for the Palestinian cause, he clarified that his critique was not directed towards the Jewish community as a whole, adding that America and Israel's foreign policy is 'predicated on violence and theft of minerals of other countries'.

"I support the Palestinian question. Our stance is not directed at Jewish people, as there are many progressive Jews who do not support what is happening in Palestine. South Africa is being attacked due to the stance that it has taken against Israel. We must never succumb to bullies and people who go around killing people across the world," he added.

Addressing his own experiences with America's immigration policies, Malema stated that he does not need a US visa, asserting, “I don't care about their visa. Whether they approve it or not. They are saving me from junk food. I will keep my South African-nes.”

He indicated that the party's resolve is that it is not willing to alter its stance in the face of international pressure, vowing instead to support nations like Venezuela.

Meanwhile, South Africa's decision  has raised concerns that the country may face additional tariffs from the United States of America, Israel's ally.

This is according to Lesego Masisi, co-founder of Anti-Apartheid Movement for Palestine (SA chapter) led by Reverend Frank Chikane, who warned that Washington may resort to economic pressure on South Africa .

“They may also try to put pressure by applying coercive tactics to (President) Cyril Ramaphosa and the SA Government with the key strategic objective being the ‘voluntary’ withdrawal of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel,” he said.

South Africa took Israel to the ICJ in December 2023, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Masisi said Pretoria's decision to expel Seidman was a necessary step to uphold international law after Seidman took David Saranga, a senior Israeli official, to visit AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo in the Eastern Cape without informing the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).

Saranga donated food parcels to flood-affected residents during the visit, which was seen as a breach of diplomatic protocol.

"A reasonable top representative of a country should definitely know when they really have to consult with the host government before bringing in a senior delegation to visit a traditional leader," he said.

Israel retaliated by also declaring South Africa's senior diplomatic representative, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country. 

The country further accused South Africa of making "false attacks against Israel in the international arena” and taking “the unilateral, baseless step" against Seidman

Byneveldt, who is based in Ramallah, was accredited through Israel due to the country's occupation of the West Bank.

Masisi said: "Israel has attempted to reciprocate by creating the false impression that they are acting within their jurisdiction to expel the South African Ambassador to Palestine, Shaun Byneveldt, which is in fact acting ultra vires in terms of the basic rules of international law."

He said Israel’s perspectives have indefensibly demonstrated racial supremacy and blatant discrimination against the Palestinians.

"South Africans, through protracted mass mobilisation and human rights education, aim to raise a deep awareness of the gross human rights violations that continue to take place in Palestine," he said.

He explained that Israel's trade with South Africa is a significant aspect of its international relations, with South Africa being one of its largest trading partners in Africa. 

Masisi also cautioned that US President Donald Trump's administration may expedite the process of removing South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and increase trade tariffs.

[email protected]