Hamas thanks South Africa PM for support

The Hamas terrorist organization says it “values” the recent statement by South African President Jacob Zuma “discouraging” officials from travel to Israel.

“”Hamas values the stance of South African President Jacob Zuma, who called for citizens of his country not to visit the Zionist entity, showing solidarity with the Palestinian people,” a statement says.

On Sunday, Zuma, speaking in his capacity as leader of the African National Congress, the country’s ruling party, restated the group’s policy recommending against officials visiting Israel.

“The people of Palestine continue to suffer in their rightful quest for self-determination and the ANC pledges its ongoing solidarity and support for their just cause,” Zuma said in his traditional January 8 address. “We reiterate that we firmly discourage travel to Israel for causes not related to fostering peace in the region.”

Hamas’s statement does not mention that Zuma does allow visiting Israel in order to foster peace.

The head of South Africa’s opposition, Mmusi Maimane, who heads the Democratic Alliance party, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

— Dov Lieber