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Mamphela-Ramphele
The Chair of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust, Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, has called on the South African government to expel Israel’s diplomats and implement sanctions against Israel.
In a statement, Ramphele urged the government to enact a parliamentary resolution passed last year to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, referencing anti-apartheid tactics to apply pressure for equal rights in the region.
Ramphele said that current actions by Israel represent a broad attack not only on Palestine but on global integrity in addressing crises.
“There is no doubt left, given all the world has witnessed over the past 13 months, that, regardless of what formal label is applied to its strategy, the State of Israel’s objective is to clear Palestinians from Palestine.”
She further described recent events in Gaza as “annihilation” that has begun to impact Lebanon.
The Trust’s statement emphasised that South Africa could apply its historical experience in sanctions and boycotts to pressure Israel to engage in negotiations.
“South Africa can do more,” it read.
“It can double down on its efforts by using the same non-violent toolbox of boycott and sanctions to isolate and force Israel to the negotiating table as were used to isolate and force change in apartheid South Africa,” added the statement.
It also suggested that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation lead in proposing swift banking sanctions against Israeli banks, adding that South Africa’s diplomatic involvement in multilateral talks could continue even without formal relations.
