PRESS STATEMENT: #Africa4Palestine welcomes SA Government objection to African Union Israel decision
28 July 2021
The human rights organisation #Africa4Palestine welcomes the South African government’s condemnation and objection of the African Union Commission’s “appalling” decision to allow the Israeli Ambassdor Aleli Admasu in Ethiopia an observer status at the African Union (AU).
#Africa4Palestine agrees with the SA Government that the decision is “unjust and unwarranted” and, furthermore, is dubious given that it was taken “unilaterally without consultations” of members.
As Africa4Palestine we are working with our partners in the SA government and civil society as well as allies in other African countries to ensure that this unilateral, irregular and improper decision is immediately halted and reversed.
In the past, South Africa, played a signifiant role in reversing the decision of the Africa-Israel Summit which was meant to take place in Togo in 2017.
We fully support the South African government in their demand that “the Chairperson of the Commission provide a briefing to all member states” and for an urgent discussion “by the Executive Council and the Assembly of Heads of States and Government”.
Earlier this year, when Israel murdered over 230 Palestinians (including more than 60 children and 3 pregnant women) the AU Commission’s Chairperson condemned the Israeli attacks and reiterated that “the Israeli army’s actions, including the continued forced, illegal evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem, are in stark violation of international law.”
Israel has not ended its violations of international law, and so, we wonder what Israel has bribed the AU Commission Chairperson with, to now change his posture and provide Israel with a free pass.
Apartheid South Africa was not allowed into international bodies until it ended its violations of human rights, similarly, Israel should not be allowed into the AU or any other body until it ends its violations of international law.
Click here for SA Government Statement
Click here for a short interview with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
ISSUED BY AFRICA 4 PALESTINE
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Spokesperson, Tisetso Magama: +27 (0) 61 414 6348
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