The South African parliament will debate the closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and the suspension of all diplomatic ties with the Jewish state on Thursday, according to the parliamentary program posted on its official website.
The discussion is being initiated by Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who has repeatedly expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments. Malema's anti-Israel stance was evident as early as 2017, when he compared the Israeli government to an apartheid government for its oppression of Palestinians and called on the South African government and businesses to sever all ties with Israel.
Following the escalation of the conflict in Gaza on October 7, Malema came out in support of Palestine, calling the Israeli government "murderous" and the Palestinian group Hamas "freedom fighters." In late October, the EFF also held a picket in Pretoria "in solidarity with the people of Palestine".
The ruling African National Congress also expressed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and protesting outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria in late October.
The South African government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire since the October escalation, describing the death toll in Gaza as "the result of unlawful actions by Israel". In early November, Pretoria also recalled its diplomats from Israel "for consultations" and issued a démarche to Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky "to discuss the ambassador's recent unfortunate conduct in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian war."
Last week, South African top diplomat Naledi Pandor proposed a plan to resolve the conflict in Gaza that includes an immediate comprehensive ceasefire and the full opening of humanitarian corridors.
On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise massive rocket attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, breaching the border, killing, and kidnapping people in neighboring Israeli communities. Israel retaliated by imposing a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million people, cutting off water, food, and fuel supplies.
On October 27, Israel launched a large-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip with the stated goal of destroying Hamas militants and rescuing hostages.
The escalation of the conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people in Israel and over 11,000 in the Gaza Strip.