South Africa’s largest opposition party and main Jewish representative body have slammed parliament’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Israel. A majority of lawmakers voted for the motion to close Israel’s embassy in Pretoria because of Israeli actions in Gaza.
During a heated session in South Africa’s parliament on Tuesday, all members of the governing African National Congress – which has a long history of solidarity with the Palestinians — voted in favor of cutting ties with Israel.
Many wore Palestinian scarfs and burst into song after the motion – originally brought by radical opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters — passed.
The vote is non-binding, but it is now up to the government to decide whether to act on the motion. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, read a statement
