S. Africans protest at Foreign Ministry over Israel

By Hassan Isilow

PRETORIA, South Africa (AA) - Hundreds of South Africans protested outside the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday claiming some ministry officials were supporting Israel, contrary to the government’s policy of solidarity with Palestine.

"There are some ‘sell outs’ here that are turning the resolution of the African National Congress [ANC] government against Palestine," Alex Mdakane of the South African Communist Party, a coalition partner of the ruling ANC told a large crowd.

He said the protest was called after several officials at the Foreign Ministry were seen to be showing support for Israel despite a resolution passed by the ANC in support of Palestine.

A top official at the ministry was recently photographed handing over a gift to the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Pretoria Arthur Lenk which caused outrage among activists.

Protesters said the act was an insult to peace-loving South Africans who consider what is happening to Palestinians as similar to what they went through during the apartheid system in their country.

"We can’t allow officials to ignore our government policy on Palestine and sell out to Israel. They should be fired," Pretoria resident Malume Msimang told Anadolu Agency at the protest.

During an ANC policy conference in July, the party adopted a policy recommendation to downgrade the South African Embassy in Israel to a liaison office so as to reduce diplomatic relations.

The party said at the time Israel continued to treat Palestine with violence instead of trying to reach a nonviolent agreement.

Muhammad Desai, leader of the South African Chapter of the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions group (BDS) said: "The people have spoken, the betrayal by the sell out officials must come to an end."

Desai said his organization, and other groups would be meeting with the Foreign Ministry officials in the next few days to discuss the matter.

"We are confident that action will be taken or we will have no option but to return to the streets," he said.

Tuesday’s protest was organized by several trade unions, political parties, civil rights groups and student organizations.

A senior official at the Foreign Affairs Ministry received the protesters' list of demands and said they would look into the matter.