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Israel-South Africa relations

South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie (C) speaks as he attends a commemoration ceremony, for French individuals who fought against apartheid, with South Africa's Deputy President Paul Mashatile and France’s President Emmanuel Macron at Freedom Park in Pretoria on November 21, 2025 ahead of the G20 leaders' Summit. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
February 21, 2026, 3:34 am
South Africa pulls out of Venice Biennale after minister pans artist’s focus on Gaza
Gayton McKenzie, a staunch supporter of Israel, had alleged an unnamed foreign power wanted to use South Africa as ‘a proxy to endorse a geopolitical message about Israel’s actions in Gaza’
By Grace Gilson
An anti-Israel activist protests outside the Israel Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, October 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
January 30, 2026, 4:21 pm
South Africa expels Israel’s top envoy; Jerusalem reciprocates
Pretoria accuses Israeli diplomat of insulting president, failing to notify government of visits by Israeli officials; both sides declare envoys personae non gratae
By Reuters
South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ronald Lamola attends the first meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 28, 2025. (Mauro PIMENTEL / POOL / AFP)
November 17, 2025, 5:53 pm
South Africa ‘suspicious’ after Israeli national is linked to Gazans fleeing Strip
Foreign minister says revelations regarding charter plane that landed in Johannesburg indicate ‘clear agenda to cleanse Palestinians’ from Gaza and West Bank
By AFP and ToI Staff
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa gives a press conference at the Swiss House of Parliament during his two-day state visit in Switzerland, in Bern on October 29, 2025. (ENNIO LEANZA / AFP)
November 14, 2025, 11:11 pm
South Africa probing origin of unexpected charter flight carrying 153 Palestinians
Passengers allowed in on short-stay visas; PA embassy says it was deceived; Israel says group received visas from South Africa ahead of time
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Jewish Agency chairman Doron Almog during a board of governors conference at the Orient Hotel in Jerusalem, July 10, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 31, 2025, 12:10 pm
Fearing arrest on ‘war crimes’ charges, Jewish Agency head cancels South Africa trip
Agency says decision to forgo visit by Doron Almog, a former IDF general, was made in light of South Africa spearheading accusations against Israel of ‘genocide’ in Gaza
By Zev Stub
FILE -- US President Donald Trump speaks as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
February 8, 2025, 4:20 pm
Trump orders cut to funding for South Africa over land policy, ICJ case against Israel
US president pulls all aid, citing ‘genocide’ case against Israel and claims that Pretoria is taking land from white people; US aid to South Africa totaled $440 million in 2023
By Reuters and ToI Staff
The latest election results are displayed at the Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
June 1, 2024, 7:41 pm
ANC loses majority in South African elections for first time since apartheid
Party, which has led international legal campaign against Israel over war with Hamas, must now build coalition to remain in power after ruling alone for three decades
By Agencies and ToI Staff
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, wearing a keffiyah scarf, speaks before an exhibition football match between Western Cape XI and the Palestinian national football team at Athlone Stadium in Athlone, near Cape Town, on February 11, 2024. (Rodger Bosch/AFP)
May 29, 2024, 10:03 pm
Israel watches as South Africa’s hostile ANC set to lose support but remain in power
As 27 million head to polls, frustrated voters likely to punish African National Congress for corruption, but opposition has scant chance of ousting longtime rulers
By Lazar Berman
Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela checks his phone during a hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, January 12, 2024. (Patrick Post/AP)
May 10, 2024, 11:34 pm
South Africa asks World Court to order Israel to withdraw from Rafah
As part of genocide case, Pretoria urges ICJ to force Israel to allow unimpeded access for international officials, aid workers and journalists, amid expanding military op
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Judges enter the United Nations' highest court during hearings in The Hague, Netherlands on February 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
March 28, 2024, 10:05 pm
ICJ orders Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, demands report in 30 days
Court says existing provisional humanitarian measures in Strip are inadequate, with ‘famine setting in’; Foreign Ministry denies limits placed on relief, blaming Hamas
By Jeremy Sharon, Agencies and ToI Staff
File: South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor delivers her closing remarks following a meeting with Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (not seen) in Pretoria on March 5, 2024. (Phill Magakoe / AFP)
March 19, 2024, 9:13 pm
South Africa: Israel undermining World Court with campaign of ‘starvation’ in Gaza
Pretoria’s foreign minister claims provisional measures passed down by the ICJ in January have been ‘entirely ignored,’ says this sets a ‘precedent’ for others to do the same
By AFP and ToI Staff
File: South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor delivers her closing remarks following a meeting with Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (not seen) in Pretoria on March 5, 2024. (Phill Magakoe / AFP)
March 13, 2024, 6:12 pm
South Africa threatens citizens fighting in IDF with arrest if they return home
Military says it is working on solutions to risks faced by soldiers when traveling overseas, amid broader concerns for Israelis visiting countries hostile to the offensive in Gaza
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Protesters hold placards and an Israeli flag during a demonstration denouncing the South African government's silence on abuse of hostages held by Hamas, in Johannesburg on March 8, 2024. (OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP)
March 8, 2024, 2:42 pm
South African Jewish women rally against government’s silence on abuse of hostages
Marking International Women’s Day, protest organizer says Jewish women held to extra burden of proof, calls out hypocrisy of president for not speaking out for captives
By AFP and ToI Staff
File: The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the UN, delivers its order South Africa's request for provisional measures against Israel over its actions in the Gaza Strip, January 26, 2024. (International Court of Justice)
February 26, 2024, 11:50 pm
Israel reports to ICJ in The Hague on actions taken to comply with court orders on Gaza
Amid South African accusation of genocide, judges instructed Jerusalem last month to specify efforts to protect civilians; details of report not released to public
By Jeremy Sharon and Agencies
Michael Kransdorff speaks during a ceremony for Israelis from South Africa who died fighting for Israel in Lavi Forest on February 20, 2024. (Courtesy Jewish National Fund South Africa)
February 23, 2024, 8:30 am
Defying their government, South African Jews honor compatriots who fell for Israel
Communal leaders’ ceremony in the Galilee follows Pretoria’s threat to prosecute citizens who served in Israel’s army, amid its petition to ICJ accusing nation of ‘genocide’
By Canaan Lidor
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