Government ignores plight of South Africans in Israel

The past week has brought rapid and unsettling developments in the conflict in Israel, with Israel launching strikes against Iranian military and key strategic targets. We earnestly hope that Israel can achieve the stated objectives of this conflict, paving the way for a future free from the existential threat posed by an enemy state intent on its destruction. Our history as Jews, including the tragic events of 7 October 2023 have starkly reminded us that when an adversary openly declares its intent to annihilate you, you should take them at their word.

Predictably, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) issued an initial statement expressing “profound concern” over Israel’s military actions against Iran, highlighting specific worries about risks to nuclear safety and security due to strikes near nuclear facilities. The statement extended condolences to Iran and the families of its victims, yet conspicuously omitted any mention of Iranian aggression, Israeli civilian casualties, Iran’s deliberate targeting of civilian areas, or the reason that Israel was targeting nuclear facilities.

In response, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies issued a clear and unequivocal statement, condemning Dirco’s one-sided stance. We noted that South Africa’s government has a troubling history of aligning with authoritarian regimes known for oppressing their own people and exporting terror. We further criticised Dirco for failing to provide any context for Israel’s actions, placing all blame squarely on Israel, and for its disregard for Jewish lives.

Dirco responded on 15 June, in which it extended “deepest condolences to the peoples of both nations suffering from the tragic loss of life”. It further emphasised that “under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be considered legitimate targets”. While we welcome this shift in tone, it was quickly overshadowed by the government’s subsequent actions. On the same day, Dirco issued a travel advisory urging South African citizens in Iran to exercise caution and register with the South African embassy in Tehran. Reprehensibly, the statement doesn’t offer similar advice or services to its citizens in Israel.

Given this lack of empathy and concern, the Board has stepped in wherever possible and provided assistance and support to various South Africans unable to return home and caught in this most frightening and precarious situation.

We do, however, wish to register our condemnation of this hypocrisy shown again by Dirco, and have released an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The letter highlights the government’s selective consular support, which extends only to South Africans in Iran, while showing disinterest and a complete lack of concern for the many South Africans, be they Christian, Jewish, or Muslim who are stranded in Israel. We understand this to be a violation of the president’s constitutional obligations to citizens, whom he appears to be willing to abandon for his own political agenda. The government’s stance on this situation confirms once again its lack of empathy, not only for the citizens of Israel, but for its own citizens in Israel.

The Board previously raised concerns about lack of consular support for South Africans in Israel at a meeting with Ramaphosa in December 2023, where we were assured that our citizens in Israel would receive the necessary services. Dirco’s latest statement validates our concern that, in times of crisis, South Africans visiting Israel have no access to consular support.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this conflict, and we hope to see a swift and decisive end to this war that will cement a more peaceful existence for all the people of Israel and the Middle East.