Latest news with #IsraeliEmbassy
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
South Africa considers closing Israeli embassy
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. 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.' He explained that the existing decision that has been taken relates to taking the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice. Lamola also said economic sanctions against Israel will require all countries to play a role through various instruments. 'The wheel is coming to a full cycle with all member countries of the UN, either putting economic sanctions, political pressure through diplomatic channels, and we are leading the legal route of the process. So there is a contribution by many member states of the UN to continue to exert the necessary pressure to stop the ongoing genocide by the Israel Defense Force.' Pressed on whether cutting diplomatic ties with Israel effectively disqualified South Africa from playing any mediating role in the much-needed peace process, Lamola said that as the Cabinet was processing the matter, all factors would be considered. 'But the resolution we are talking about is because it is a parliamentary resolution which the Cabinet is duty-bound to consider within the principle, obviously, of the separation of powers. 'We will look into all the facts and all the prevailing circumstances and present a way forward.' He said South Africa's position with regard to the two-state solution was firmly remaining. 'We continue with that position in the various platforms of the United Nations. We continue to argue for a reason for cessation of hostilities, for the Israel Defense Force to stop its military operation in Gaza and the West Bank. We continue to call for humanitarian access to the people of Gaza and the West Bank. We continue to call for an immediate dialogue and cessation of fire that must lead to engagement towards the two-state solution,' Lamola added. First published by IOL
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Israel wants to annihilate Iranian nuclear facilities before talks
Israel wants to entirely dismantle both Iran's nuclear program and destroy its ability to resume it in the future, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Simona Halperin has told RT. West Jerusalem will only consider talks after this main goal is secured, she said. 'Israel is attacking the objects and individuals that lead the Iranian nuclear program, that lead the program to destroy Israel, as well as all those who would pose a military threat to Israel,' Halperin told the press at a briefing in the Israeli Embassy on Monday. When asked by RT about Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to mediate talks between West Jerusalem and Tehran, the diplomat stressed that the Jewish state's current primary concern is the destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. 'Israel's number one priority' is to wipe out Iran's 'desire, ability and intention' to continue pursuing its nuclear program, Halperin told RT. It's premature to consider negotiations right now, she added. 'I think it's way too early to think about 'who, when, and how',' the diplomat said. 'I think it is very important to address the critical issues, ability and intent,' she said, referring to the goals of the Israeli bombing campaign. 'After we resolve these issues, we will see how we can proceed,' Halperin said. When asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for Iranians to topple their government, was setting a coup as one of the goals of the military operation, the diplomat said 'no.' 'This is not one of Israel's objectives in the operation,' she told RT. 'Only the Iranian people will decide for themselves what they want and how they're ruled.' Iran has condemned the Israeli attack as entirely unprovoked, and accused the Jewish state of 'scuttling' its Oman-brokered nuclear talks with the US. Tehran has no interest in bloodshed, and did not begin the hostilities, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. Despite this, Iran would fight 'to the last drop of blood' to defend its 'land, people, dignity and achievements,' he warned. Tehran has repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Political violence is threaded through recent US history. The motives and justifications vary
The assassination of one Democratic Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife at their homes, is just the latest addition to a long and unsettling roll call of political violence in the United States. The list, in the past two months alone: the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. The firebombing of a Colorado march calling for the release of Israeli hostages, and the firebombing of the official residence of Pennsylvania's governor — on a Jewish holiday while he and his family were inside.
RNZ News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Embassy of Israel in Wellington closes amid international conflict
A pro-Palestinian protest outside the Israeli Embassy building in 2023. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman The Israeli embassy in New Zealand has shut as part of a worldwide closure of the country's diplomatic missions. The closures comes as tensions remain high in the region - Israel launched an attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities on Friday, which Iran responded to with the launch of 100 drones. The Embassy of Israel - on Brandon Street in Wellington - services Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue, as well as New Zealand. It also operates a consulate office in Auckland. A message on the embassy's website announced the decision: "In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided," it said. "An online form is available for Israelis abroad to report their location and current status." The message also issued general safety guidelines for Israelis abroad - encouraging them to avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public spaces and avoid attending large gatherings or events associated with Israel or Jewish communities. An 'unpublish' date on the message indicated it was intended to appear on the website until the end of July. RNZ has contacted the embassy for comment. The move comes as part of a global shutting of Israeli embassies. Israel's embassy in Sweden said the country would close its diplomatic missions around the world and that consular services would not be provided at about 11pm on Friday night (NZ), Reuters reported. It did not say how long the missions would be closed. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Al Arabiya
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israeli embassy in Berlin closed until further notice
The Israeli embassy in Berlin is closed on Friday due to the escalation in the Middle East and will remain so until further notice, an embassy worker told Reuters. Israel launched strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
