President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has reaffirmed the country’s backing for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Israel during a meeting with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
In the meeting, the Board of Deputies expressed concerns about antisemitism and urged President Ramaphosa to safeguard the Jewish community. They also requested the restoration of full diplomatic recognition of Israel, including the reopening of the South African embassy in Tel Aviv and preventing the closure of Israel’s embassy in Pretoria, according to a statement from the president’s office.
Additionally, the group urged President Ramaphosa to address and take action against the boycott of Israeli and Jewish businesses in South Africa.
In response, President Ramaphosa condemned antisemitism and Islamophobia. However, he reiterated South Africa’s support for the Palestinians, emphasising the government’s stance on the current conflict in Israel and Palestine.
“The President further emphasised the government’s denunciation of anti-Semitic behaviour towards Jewish people in South Africa, including the boycott of Jewish-owned businesses and Islamophobia,” it added.
