ANC considers SA embassy downgrade in Israel

ANT KATZ

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, who heads up the ANC’s Foreign Affairs portfolio, convened the International Relations Commission of the Conference. She said Israel took up a great deal of time during their day-long deliberation.

Speaking to Jewish Report from the conference, Molewa said there were factions with totally opposing views, so it was impossible to come to a final recommendation.

She explained that their decision was to explore four options regarding the embassy: a downgrade; a total shutdown; a view that a risk analysis should be conducted; and another view that the risk analysis is not necessary.

Molewa said the International Relations Commission she chaired, drew up a report (following the deliberations) that was presented to the Conference Plenary. This report will pave the way for what needs to be researched, discussed and then consolidated before presenting it to the party’s 54th National Conference on December 16. There, the decisions are to be ratified.

Another issue that will definitely be taken to the December conference, is the party’s desire to “internationalise the Palestinian struggle”, Molewa said: “We cannot turn a blind eye on Israeli efforts to galvanise support from Africa and elsewhere, with a view to undermine the Palestinian cause.”

The ANC also planned to “engage progressive forces on the continent on the need to develop a common position and posture in preparation for the upcoming Israeli-Africa Summit scheduled for October 2017 in Togo”, she said.

Molewa told Jewish Report that she found the concept of an Israel/Africa conference in Togo problematic. “It is called Israel/Africa… and not Israel/AU,” she said, which she felt was wrong.

She said there were diplomatic forums in place that should be used to convene such conferences. If it were between Europe and Africa, she said, “it would be an EU/AU conference”.

Asked whether, if the AU had hosted it, would South Africa attend, Molewa said she didn’t know. “I don’t even know if my President is invited,” she said. She deferred that question to the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation.

“What is the purpose (of the conference),” asked Molewa, “and who funds it? Why not use the AU as a platform?”

The AU, she said, co-operates with Japan, China, the EC, the Non-Aligned Movement and many more countries and regions. “I don’t remember the AU ever refusing to convene discussions,” she said.

Coming back to the embassy issue, Molewa explained that the call “for the downgrading of the South African embassy, (was) to send a strong message about Israel’s continued illegal occupation (of) Palestine and the continued human rights abuses against the peoples of Palestine”.

The ANC felt strongly that the downgrade would make sure that Israel recognised that South Africa noticed that “several resolutions were taken in the past that have not been implemented; (and) Israel continues to arrogantly expand settlements in defiance of UN resolutions and international law”, according to the report.

Molewa said she believed “that (Israeli) atrocities are continuing” and conceded that “maybe we (the ANC) need to speak to Israel” to assist as peacemakers.

“We are going to ask the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation to play a part in this analysis,” she says. She, herself, will also be involved in her capacity as head of ANC International Relations.

The ANC would also consult the Board of Deputies, Molewa said, and had already agreed with Board President Mary Kluk to hold talks.

She also agreed that she would consult the Israeli Ambassador and SA Ambassador to Israel Sisa Ngombane, before a final report is tabled to the ANC’s December conference.