Latest news with #RonaldLamola
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Closing Israeli embassy would further jeopardise trade relations, says SA Jewish Board
Relations between Pretoria and Tel Aviv have been strained since 2018. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said South Africa has not yet decided whether to close the Israeli embassy in Pretoria. Responding to questions in parliament on Tuesday, Lamola said the embassy remains downgraded until Cabinet reaches a decision to completely close it. 'Consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster systems to prepare a memorandum for submission to 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 Cabinet. 'Once the Cabinet has deliberated and reached a final decision, the Department of International Relations and Corporation will act in accordance with these directives. 'At this stage, the embassy remains downgraded,' he said. South Africa is processing the matter 'objectively' Lamola denied that there is pressure from external forces to abandon proposed plans to shut down the Israeli embassy. This follows speculation that South Africa's posture towards Israel played a role in the rocky relations between South Africa and the United States (US). 'Cabinet has to undergo its internal processes which it will be undergoing to deal with this matter, and it is being processed, and it will be processed objectively in line with The Constitution of South Africa with no external pressure to be exerted on the South African government by any forces or anyone and the South African government will act within its sovereignty to be able to take a decision informed by the facts and policies, constitution, national development plan and its own national interests,' he said. The EFF had proposed the closure of the Israeli embassy and had received the backing of the ANC. Sanctions against Israel Lamola said he could not confirm if South Africa will place economic or other sanctions against Israel. 'This is a matter that will require Cabinet to deliberate on to exert these economic sanctions or any other pressures that may need to be exerted,' he said. Lamola said he had noted some actions that have been taken against Israel by other countries. He stated that South Africa is continuing its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 'As honourable members are aware, we have already taken action against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ)…the wheel is coming into full circle with all member countries of the UN either putting sanctions or exerting political pressure through political channels,' he said. Meanwhile, Lamola said the South African government still believes in a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Tensions between these two nations have led to instability in the Middle East. 'South Africa's position with regard to the two-state solution if firmly remaining and we continue in that position. We continue to argue for a cessation of hostilities and for the Israel Defence Force (IDF) to stop its military operation in Gaza,' he said. ALSO READ: Iran launches fresh wave of attacks on Israel What is the difference between a downgraded embassy and a functional one? Lamola explained to MPs the difference between a fully functional embassy and a downgraded embassy. 'The downgraded embassy facilitates the normal process of visa and travelling of civilians between countries with no full operation of an embassy in terms of liaising political, diplomatic, and economic relations between the two countries,' he said. Lamola said he could not give clear timelines on when the Israeli embassy would be closed. However, he said he expected the Cabinet to have made a decision by the end of the year. SAJBD responds Wendy Kahn, the national director at the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), said closing the Israeli embassy would further jeopardise the mutually beneficial trade relations between the two countries. 'This could well greatly undermine the country's foreign investment prospects. Particularly at this fraught time in the Middle East, South Africa should further be helping to promote dialogue and understanding, rather than engaging in politically partisan boycott actions that do nothing to further peace prospects and are not in the interests of this country as a whole,' she said. Kahn said closing down the embassy would be unjust and discriminatory. 'Closing the Israeli embassy would be completely contrary to South Africa's own vital interests. 'We are seeing more than ever the detrimental consequences of closing the South African embassy in Israel, with many thousands of SA citizens now finding themselves stranded without recourse to consular services or any kind of assistance from their own government,' she said. NOW READ: Israel denies whispering in Trump's ear for sanctions against SA
Russia Today
2 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
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
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.'
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Israeli embassy's fate now in Cabinet's hands, says Lamola
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. Image: GCIS THE Cabinet will only decide by the end of the year on the potential closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria- two years after a National Assembly resolution to close down the Israeli embassy. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola disclosed this 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.' 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 ✕ 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.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Cabinet won't be influenced when it decides to shut down Israeli embassy
CAPE TOWN - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola says Cabinet won't be influenced by external forces when it decides to shut down the Israeli embassy. He says the final decision to close down the embassy is still being processed by Cabinet and all factors are being considered objectively. Lamola was responding to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as part of the peace and security cluster. Lamola was asked about the closure of the Israeli embassy after the National Assembly took a resolution to close it during the sixth administration. He was asked by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s Virgill Gericke what was behind the delay. 'What outside forces are exerting pressure on individuals, Cabinet or the government to renege on its initial resolution to close the Israeli embassy?' Lamola says the closure is being processed in line with the Constitution. 'It will be processed objectively in line with the Constitution with no external pressure to be exerted on the South African government by any forces or anyone.' He says the embassy has been downgraded and a final decision on its closure will happen before the end of the year.
