South Africa’s ANC, the African National Congress, has raised concerns over the Israeli embassy’s unwillingness to engage in discussions regarding the recent crisis between Israel and Hamas. While attending the Labour Party conference in the United Kingdom, ANC Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane criticized the Israeli government for its perceived arrogance and inconsistency in global responses to the conflict.
On October 7, 2023, as part of “Operation al-Aqsa Flood,” Hamas launched a surprise attack by firing around 5,000 missiles into Israel. The ANC-led government has called for a swift ceasefire and peace in the region. The operation reportedly resulted in the loss of at least 1,200 Israeli lives, including women, children, and non-Israelis. Additionally, there were numerous civilian kidnappings. Israeli retaliatory attacks on Gaza led to the deaths of over a thousand people, according to Palestinian officials and multiple media reports. Among the casualties in the Gaza strip were women and children.
Hamas stated that the attack aimed to draw international attention to the Palestinian people’s plight. This incident coincides with efforts by Washington to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The ANC expressed its willingness to engage with the Israeli government despite its opposition to what it refers to as “apartheid Israel.” Mokonyane criticized the Israeli embassy in South Africa, accusing it of being uncooperative with the African National Congress and civil society in South Africa.
While the ANC faced criticism for not denouncing the Hamas attack, Mokonyane emphasized that any loss of civilian life was a serious concern. She clarified that the ANC’s stance should not be equated with outright condemnation.
In 2017, the ANC in the Western Cape proposed a resolution to downgrade South Africa’s embassy in Israel due to the expansion of Israeli settlements into Palestinian territory. This resolution has received endorsement at the national policy conference of the ANC and is expected to be presented for government approval following the elective conference.
