South Africa to Downgrade its Embassy in “Israel”

By Staff, Agencies

The South African government is planning to downgrade its embassy in the apartheid “Israeli” entity, the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa told parliament.

Last year, the ruling African National Congress [ANC] passed a resolution calling for the downgrading of the South Africa's Embassy in Tel Aviv due to the “continued 'Israeli' violations of the rights of Palestinians.”

"In implementing this conference resolution, we are mindful of South Africa's responsibility to continue engaging with all parties to the conflict to see where we would be able to provide assistance," Ramaphosa was quoted as having told the parliament late Thursday in a televised question and answer session.

He said the country’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was working on implementing the decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with Israel.

Ramaphosa said his decision is driven by “'Israeli' violations of the rights of the Palestinians” and “Israel's” failure to enter into further negotiations regarding a two-state solution, according to Anadolu.

In another example, the county’s Foreign Minister slammed “Israel's” plans to build new units in Occupied al-Quds, saying she was “losing sleep” over the size of “Palestine”.