Israel south africa relations

S. African non-Jewish activists protest at Holocaust center with ‘Jews for Free Palestine' shirts

The organization claimed to stand with “all Jewish voices across the world who reject Zionism, apartheid, and genocide, and who continue to call for a Free Palestine.

People hold placards and Palestinian flags in Cape Town, South Africa, January 26, 2024.
Minister Gayton McKenzie during the 2026 State of the Nation Address Debate at the Parliamentary Dome on Feb. 17, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.

South Africa pulls out of Venice Biennale; because its selected artist wanted to focus on Gaza

Regent Xami in Jerusalem’s Old City, with the Western Wall behind him.

A voice from apartheid: South Africa's Regent Xami’s calls for indigenous support of Israel

People hold placards and Palestinian flags in Cape Town, South Africa, January 26, 2024.

South Africa gov't announces probe for NGO that arranged irregular arrival of Palestinians


South Africa's ANC passes resolution to downgrade Tel Aviv embassy

The resolution aims to "give practical expression to the oppressed people of Palestine,'' by downgrading the embassy to a ''liaison office.''

A protester and member of South Africa's ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters party (EFF), carries a placard outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa

South Africa’s ruling party: Israel ties hang in the balance

‘Trump’s J’lem decision has hardened us’ • Country’s largest university announces boycott

A protester and member of South Africa's ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters party (EFF), carries a placard outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa

Smuts and Weizmann

My great-grandfather’s love of Israel and South African Jews

Chaim Weizmann and Jan Smuts, circa 1915

Jews, Christians band together to stop S. African Embassy downgrade

South Africa’s Jewish and Christian communities have launched several campaigns to encourage the country’s ruling party, the African National Congress, not to downgrade its embassy in Israel.

Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi shakes hands with the ANC's International Relations Subcommittee chairwoman Edna Molewa during a meeting in South Africa last week. (Facebook)

Commission: Downgrading S. African Embassy in Tel Aviv unconstitutional

South Africa and Israel “need to consider an upgrade, rather than a downgrade.”

A protester and member of South Africa's ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters party (EFF), carries a placard outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa

How it really was: To be Begin and Peres on the same weekend

As a speaker I did not have the courage of Abba Eban, who as Israel ambassador to the US and the UN in the 1950s was universally recognized as one of the great orators of the last century.

Shimon Peres and Menachem Begin chat at the inaugural session of the 10th Knesset in 1981

Hanegbi dispels claim of S. African ruling party: Meeting was preplanned

In July, the ANC called for the downgrade of the South African Embassy in Israel to a “liaison office”

Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi shakes hands with the ANC’s International Relations Subcommittee chairwoman Edna Molewa at their meeting in South Africa last week

S. Africa’s ruling party criticized over Hanegbi visit

Israeli ministers have been unable to meet with their South African counterparts due to tensions over what the ruling party has deemed “the occupation of Palestine.”

Regional Cooperations Minister Tzachi Hanegbi meets yesterday withJeff Radebe, Minister in the South African presidential office in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Facebook)

Hanegbi makes rare official visit to South Africa in bid to warm ties

Visit to South Africa comes prior to ANC conference where new party president will be elected

Regional Cooperations Minister Tzachi Hanegbi meets yesterday withJeff Radebe, Minister in the South African presidential office in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Facebook)

Israeli, S. African Instagrammers swap places for a week

VIP photographers from both countries are using social media to document their experiences.

Famous South African photographers Alexi Portokallis and Miklas Manneke experience their first Israeli falafels in Mahane Yehuda on Saturday night