Cabinet's crucial decision on Israeli Embassy closure looms
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster system to prepare a memorandum for submission to Cabinet for the closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The Cabinet is expected to decide by the end of the year on the potential closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria.
This was revealed by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
Responding to a question from EFF MP Virgill Gericke about the steps he has taken in honouring and executing the November 2023 resolution of the National Assembly to close down the Israeli embassy, Lamola said consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster system to prepare a memorandum for submission to the Cabinet.
'In accordance with the constitutional principle of the separation of powers, the authority to decide on the possible closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa rests solely with the Cabinet.
'Once Cabinet has deliberated and reached a final destination, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will act in accordance with these directives,' he said.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Lamola indicated that the Israeli embassy remained downgraded.
'The downgraded embassy only just facilitates the normal processes of visa and travelling of civilians between the two countries, with no full operation of a full embassy in terms of liaising on political, diplomatic, and also economic relations between the two countries.'
He also said since the matter was processed through the Cabinet process, he was unable to specify the date it will be resolved.
'But I can state that before the end of the year, Cabinet will have processed the matter.'
Asked what outside forces were exerting pressure on the Cabinet or the government to relent on its initial resolve to close the Israeli embassy, Lamola said the authority to decide on the possible closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa rests solely with the Cabinet.
'Cabinet has to undergo its internal processes, which it will be undergoing to deal with this matter, and it is being processed.
'It will be processed objectively, in line with the South African constitution, with no external pressure to be exerted on the South African government by any forces or anyone. The South African government will act within its sovereignty to make decisions informed by facts, policies, the Constitution, the National Development Plan, and national interests,' he said.
Asked whether his department has considered other measures like economic sanctions against Israel as part of intensifying pressure against the continued Israeli attacks and aggression against Palestine, Lamola said the matter will require the Cabinet to deliberate on whether to exert economic sanctions and any other pressures that may need to be executed.
'But the South African government will continue to support the work that has been done by other countries. The European Union, its member states, have also begun to sanction some of the leaders of the Israeli regime in terms of economic sanctions, and also some countries like those in the G-7 have announced this type of measures.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
FOREVER WARS – Part 8: Iran
So the ancient timeless agitation between Israel and the Arab world has reignited – again. Is Iran, the last of the seven countries on General Wesley Clarke's 'memo', finally about to fall? Or, is Israel about to be blown off the map? Tel Aviv awoke to a terrifying Tuesday this week as Iran unleashed a barrage of back-to-back missile strikes on the Israeli city, killing at least 24 and wounding hundreds, in what Tehran called a 'campaign of revenge.' Iran also struck the port city of Haifa (which receives a third of Israel's imports) on day 5 of the tit-for-tat attacks between the two Middle Eastern countries. Iran's counterstrike is retaliation to Israel's airstrike on more than 100 nuclear, military and infrastructure targets across Iran last Friday – including its main nuclear facility in Natanz – that killed several top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. Israel's attack came two days before Iran was set to resume talks with the US over Iran's nuclear programme. On Monday, 16 June, Israel bombed Iran's State TV broadcaster IRIB with an airstrike, captured live on camera. The talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled for last Sunday in Oman, have been cancelled. Let's recap. Back in 2007, ex-NATO commander Clarke told the world, in an interview with Democracy Now , that, 10 days after 9/11, he was shown a classified memo by a colleague at the Pentagon outlining how the US was going to knock out seven Middle East and North Africa countries in five years. Lest we forget, those seven countries were: Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, Syria…and Iran. (As I pointed out in part one of this series, it was actually 8 countries – if you include Afghanistan.) All but one of those countries have been bombed, invaded, destabilised or overthrown by the West – and Israel. And…here we are. Last domino on the Middle-Eastern map, Iran, is now too in the crosshairs of the US-NATO-Israel axis of evil. The axis may be way over schedule, and no doubt over budget, but they are right on course. And what is the big gripe with Iran? Well, apart from the usual, stock-standard, Western Arabiophobic racism? According to Israel – and their loyal slavish pit bull, the US – Iran is in the process of creating a nuclear weapon. We've heard the words countless times before. Israel, specifically Netanyahu, has said it over and over, ad nauseam; 'Iran CANNOT have a nuclear weapon!' And Trump just basically parrots his puppetmaster, Bibi. In fact, do you know how many times, and for how long, Benjamin Netanyahu has been crying wolf, going on and on about Iran building an atomic bomb? Believe it or not…since at least 1992. Some say as early as 1984. Here are just a few dates and quotes from when Bibi tried to terrorise the world with Iran's phantom nuke: 1992: 'Iran is 3-5 years from nuclear capacity.' 2003: 'Iran's nuke programme is a global threat.' 2010: 'Iran could produce a bomb within a year.' 2021: 'Iran closer than ever to nuclear weapons.' 2024: 'Iran dangerously close to nuclear bomb.' 2025: 'Iran days away from enrichening uranium for a bomb.' That's right, according to Bedlam Bibi, Iran has been right on the cusp of building a nuke…for decades. Unfortunately, these fear-mongering, propaganda lies are regurgitated by the Western echo chamber mainstream media, particularly in the US. By the way, this is the same Netanyahu who said we could restore peace to the Middle East if we could just get rid of Iraq's Saddam…if we could just get rid of Libya's Gaddafi….if we could just get rid of Syria's Assad. Well, all that happened, and…do we have peace in the region? And now, Bibi is saying…if we could just remove the Iranian regime, there would finally be peace in the Arab world. Are we learning yet…? So, let me get this straight. Everyone else in the world can have nukes…but not Iran? Russia and the US have more than 5000 nuclear missiles each. France and the UK have more than 200 each. China, India, Pakistan and North Korea have nearly 1000 between them. And we have the nations of Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands 'hosting' more than 100 nukes collectively. Yet, Iran is not even allowed to have… one? What's that all about…? Just more of that Western Arabiophobic racism? Here's the thing though…there's no substantial proof that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. And it's not just me – and the Iranians – saying it. On 25 March this year, Trump's director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, appeared in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee where she made it clear that US intelligence has determined Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. In her opening statements, she said: 'The IC [intelligence community] continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003.' She also said the IC was closely monitoring if Tehran decided to reauthorise its nuclear weapons programme. However, you know who doesn't give a toss what Gabbard or the IC think? Their boss, President Donald J. Trump. In a brief interview on Airforce One on Tuesday, a reporter reminded Trump what Gabbard said to the Senate Committee about Iran not having a nuclear weapon. Trump responded, 'I don't care what she said, I think they were very close to having one.' (Nice. Way to go, throwing your DNI under the bus there, Big Don.) That's because Trump doesn't care what his cabinet, staff, advisors, voter base or the American people think or want. He only cares what Benjamin Netanyahu wants. Because, as we've well established, Trump is Bibi's patsy, Bibi's b**ch. It's clear now that Trump was never about America First or MAGA, he was always about MIGA. If Israel and the US thought ratcheting up tensions with Iran was somehow going to spur the Iranian people to turn against the 'regime' in Tehran and overthrow the Ayatollah and his government, they were dead wrong. All the airstrikes did was coalesce and galvanise the Iranian people, against their common foe. As one article put it, Israel is making the case for a nuclear-armed Iran. In fact, a video has gone viral of an Iranian woman at a rally in Tehran, without a hijab, shouting and calling for Iran to acquire a nuke – the very thing Israel and the US are trying to prevent. 'These b*st*rds have been driving us crazy for 400 years', she said. 'These scoundrels spent a year and a half killing half a million people. Now, an attack (on us). We want an atomic bomb!' The crowd around her cheered her on. 'The Strait of Hormuz? Close it already,' she snapped. I don't have to tell you what happens to oil and petrol prices if that happens. If Iran does shut down the Strait, economists estimate it could push the oil price (currently around $75 per barrel) up to $130 p/barrel. Some speculators are talking $300 per barrel. Which means they won't have to forcibly lock you down again…because you won't be able to afford to drive anywhere. Trump's actions on Iran – and Israel – has split the MAGA base, down the middle. While the usual warmongering neocons – like senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, Mike Pompeo and John Bolton – to name a few, are salivating at the prospect of destroying yet ANOTHER Middle-Eastern country, anti-war voices are coming out of the MAGA camp in droves. Here's what some experts, analysts, commentators and many from the MAGA base are saying on X about Trump's recent double-play against Iran: Conservative commentator and staunch Trump supporter, Tucker Carlson wrote; 'The real divide isn't between people who support Israel and people who support Iran or the Palestinians. The real divide is between those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers.' He asked, 'Who are the warmongers? They would include anyone who's calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct US military involvement in a war with Iran.' Carlson was also just in an interview with former Trump advisor, Steve Bannon. Both men were devout in their opposition to Trump attacking Iran. Republican representative for Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene, has been amongst the most vocal voices on Capitol Hill against a war with Iran. 'Anyone slobbering for the US to become fully involved in the Israel-Iran war is not America First or MAGA. Wishing for murder of innocent people is disgusting. We are sick and tired of foreign wars. All of them,' she posted. 'Real America First/MAGA wants world peace for all people. I don't want to see Israel, Iran or Gaza bombed. This position is NOT antisemitic. It's rational, sane, and what many Americans voted for in 2024,' she added. Comedian and podcaster, Dave Smith, posted; 'It's genuinely hard to imagine a worse decision than going to war with Iran. They pose absolutely no threat to us and the war would be a substantially larger catastrophe than Iraq. If you wanted to destroy the USA, another disastrous war in the Middle East would be the move.' Republican representatie for Kentucky, Thomas Massie, posted; 'This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.' 'I'm introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to prohibit our involvement. I invite all members of Congress to cosponsor this resolutionm,' he added. Other military and political analysts were more direct and brutal in their take on Trump's buckling to Bibi's push for (more) war. In an interview with Judge Napolitano, ex-CIA analyst Larry Johnson said: 'Donald Trump now has established himself in the last 48 hours as a liar.' He added: 'You know what this is? This is Saddam Hussein – Part 2.' In another interview with Napolitano, military and intelligence analyst, Scott Ritter, said: 'What the president just did here is undermine American legitimacy, and credibility, and shows that America is incapable of serious diplomatic engagement. What this proves is that Donald Trump – the most pro-war president out there – is a duplicitous, two-faced liar.' In an interview with Carlson, military analyst Douglas Macgregor said: 'The way Donald Trump handled Zelensky is the way he has got to handle Netanyahu. If he doesn't, Netanyahu will drag him into the abyss…because Bibi wants this war with Iran – come hell or high water.' Meanwhile, the US has reportedly dispatched a second aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, among other 'substantial military assets' to the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict ramps up. On Monday 16 June, Trump posted this on his Truth Social; 'Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!' Then he added: 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' That last line has sparked a mass exodus out of the city – of 10 million people. He followed that up in the past 24 hours with an apparent threat aimed at Ayatollah Khamenei when he posted: 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there. We are not going to take him out, at least not for now. (Did he just borrow a line from Juju?) But our patience is wearing thin.' Finally, he delivered an ultimatum to Iran: 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' As the tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries continues into the sixth day, Israel has just announced that they've killed another Iranian military commander who was appointed only 4 days ago. Well, here we go again, folks. Like we've seen so many times before; left or right, Republican or Democrat. No matter who's in the Oval Office, the wars never end and the bombs keep dropping. Are we learning yet..? I think journo-activist, Caitlin Johnstone, said it best when she recently posted on X: 'There is absolutely no excuse for buying into the war propaganda about Iran after what we all saw with Iraq.' 'If you're a grown adult with internet access still swallowing this load of bull in the year 2025, you're either stupid…or evil,' she added. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Israelis stranded abroad start returning home amid conflict with Iran
A rescue flight from Cyprus marked the start of Israel's Operation Safe Return, as thousands remain stranded amid ongoing missile strikes between Israel and Iran. Israelis disembark a bus after they were flown back to Israel in a special flight, on June 18, 2025 in Tel Aviv. Picture: Gil Cohen-Magen / AFP A first aircraft bringing home Israelis stranded abroad by flight cancellations resulting from the conflict with Iran touched down on Wednesday, with returnees expressing relief to be back on Israeli soil. A statement from the airports authority said 'the first flight of Operation Safe Return' landed at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday, with national carrier El Al bringing Israelis home from Larnaca in Cyprus. Thousands stranded abroad Transport Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday that between 100 000 and 150 000 Israelis have been stranded abroad, as Israel and Iran traded deadly fire in their most intense confrontation ever. Despite the nightly volleys of Iranian missile fire at Israel since Friday, hotelier Yaakov Bogen, 66, said he would rather be at home with family than abroad. 'I belong here, and unfortunately we get used to these fights and war, but we prefer to be here, to support as much as we can,' he told AFP in Tel Aviv after landing back in Israel. Travellers with suitcases disembarked a bus in the coastal hub, after Israel's airports authority urged the public not to order taxis or greet arriving passengers at Ben Gurion Airport due to 'the current security situation'. 'This is home' Stylist Tali Gehorsam, 40, expressed relief to be back after her flight was redirected to Cyprus half an hour before landing in the early hours of Friday. ALSO READ: Iran media reports 'massive explosion' after Israeli drone strike on refinery 'This is home. There's no other place,' she said. 'To be overseas and to watch the news is not a nice feeling.' After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, the long-range blitz began Friday when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to respond with missiles and drones. Since Friday, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Damage, trauma and reunions Ori Abadi, a 35-year-old Tel Aviv resident, said he had family in two areas of central Israel that have been hit by recent deadly missile strikes. 'I know that both of the apartments got damaged. It really hurts, it's really worrying and I'm really glad to be with my family now,' he said. Israel's transport ministry said all of Israel's commercial aircraft had been sent abroad to prevent damage during the air war with Iran. Rescue flights After suspending flights last week, El Al said it was 'preparing rescue flights' starting Wednesday with planes departing from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. The low-cost Israeli airline Arkia also announced special flights this week to repatriate Israelis. A statement from the airports authority said Wednesday that the return operation 'is being managed in stages based on the level of risk and current security assessments, with a strong emphasis on the safety of passengers, aircrews and aircraft'. NOW READ: Israel strikes Iran: what we know
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Russia warns US not to help Israel militarily against Iran
In separate comments, the head of Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Iran and Israel was now critical. Ryabkov warned the U.S. against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such 'speculative options,' according to Russia's Interfax news agency. 'This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation,' it cited him as saying. Earlier, a source familiar with U.S. internal discussions said President Donald Trump and his team were considering a number of options, including joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. On Tuesday, Trump openly mused on social media about killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but said 'We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.' Israel launched air strikes last Friday against Iran's nuclear sites, scientists and top military leaders in a surprise attack that Russia condemned as unprovoked and illegal. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.
