The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, has resolved to "immediately and unconditionally" downgrade the South African Embassy in Israel to a liaison office.

The ANC's decision on Wednesday evening, announced during its 54th National Conference, came on the eve of a UN General Assembly emergency session where member states
resoundingly approved a draft resolution rejecting US President Donald Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"[It] sends a clear message to Israel that there is a price to pay for its human rights abuses and violations of international law," the ANC said in a statement.

"In order to give our practical expression of support to the oppressed people of Palestine, the ANC has unanimously resolved to direct the SA government to immediately and unconditionally downgrade the South African Embassy in Israel to a liaison office."

'A practical step towards peace'

Hashem Dajani, Palestine's ambassador in Pretoria, described the move as "an important decision".

The Palestinian movement, Hamas , released a statement on Thursday acknowledging ANC members and activists in South Africa's Palestine solidarity movement "who convinced South Africans that it was the correct moral and ethical decision for their country".

The activist group, South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP), said: "the downgrade was a practical step towards a just peace".
In a statement, the organisation said: "This move by the ANC actively applies pressure on Israel's government to end its violations of international law."

But Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Johannesburg, said the ANC's move was not legally binding.

Its implementation at government level was also uncertain, he said.

"There are people who are celebrating as if this is a done deal, when it is nowhere near that," he told Al Jazeera.

"Until and unless the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) takes this resolution on board, it means nothing."
DIRCO is South Africa's foreign ministry.
Friedman said that it was not unusual for the ANC to show support for the Palestinians.
"It doesn't mean that it will translate into [government] policy," he said.

DIRCO officials, he added, are known to hold sympathetic views towards Israel.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/anc-downgrade-israeli-embassy-jerusalem-furore-171221114300246.html

It's really getting too much with Iseral they are fast lossing the victim card they always play

They are now seen as the aggressor which would give Iran nuclear program more sympathizers since it needs to defend its self against over aggressive Iseral

Too much of every thing is bad

mrvitalis:
It's really getting too much with Iseral they are fast lossing the victim card they always play

They are now seen as the aggressor which would give Iran nuclear program more sympathizers since it needs to defend its self against over aggressive Iseral

Too much of every thing is bad

More to come

#FACT#
Some foolish beings will come here and be telling us how the so called Christian prophecy is now being fulfilled by the Jews that claimed Jesus is a false prophet.

A very welcome development

Where is South Africa in the World Map
They should shut up and focus on repairing their failure to tackle xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans than trying to be relevant in the world.....

hmmm

Ok

Good, I wish people would put aside stupid religious sentiment and see this for it is, bullying.

The US should let Isreal and Palestine settle this dispute themselves.

Good.

These Palestinians and their cohorts have infiltrated almost every important organization and peoples, they now influence decisions to their gain and make it look like the world is with them against Israel. Simple history shows that Jerusalem is Israel's, even the name.
well, I trust the Israelis they are so self sufficient you can't hold them to Ransome. they've got Donald Trump too.
Israel will always win and remain elevated above the evil anarchists around them.

It does not matter , what will be , will be , with or without the un's approval

iliyande:
Where is South Africa in World Map

In a better position than Nigeria.

SA know what it means to be oppressed in your own land. One ups SA

k

wati concern me..

You can’t stop an idea whose time is now!

Samusu:

More to come

what is more to come?.. ISRAEL does not even need anyone. God is sufficient for her.

Space bookers if I catch una

They better clear run cause isreal no get pity o

Ok

odehaj:
what is more to come?.. ISRAEL does not even need anyone. God is sufficient for her.

More to come

OK

Stupid South African trying to get the wrath of God upon them...This is clearly a fulfilment of a Prophecy of God yet some minion countries think they can interfere ..American Economy and Military might will triple in the next 8 years and so would that of Isreal , nobody obeys the the prophecy God and suffers . God will use this period to show Himself once more

Nonsense

South Africans have experienced first hand what the Palestinians are going through.

even jews in south africa knows that the aggression is unjustified. europe was tired of them that was why they export them to palestine.

Adolf Hitler once said, "i will leave a little jews for the world to know why I killed them". they are obnoxious that was why we have Balfour declaration. europe was smart to get rid of them.

ok lets see hw it plays out in the long run

mrvitalis:
It's really getting too much with Iseral they are fast lossing the victim card they always play

They are now seen as the aggressor which would give Iran nuclear program more sympathizers since it needs to defend its self against over aggressive Iseral

Too much of every thing is bad

there is noting much here, South Africa na country? a useless country with xenophobia. Israel will always overcome...

but wait, y is it that any news that is against Trump and Israel are always quick to make front page on NL..

WinningSun:
even jews in south africa knows that the aggression is unjustified. europe was tired of them that was why they export them to palestine.

Adolf Hitler once said, "i will leave a little jews for the world to know why I killed them". they are obnoxious that was why we have Balfour declaration. europe was smart to get rid of them.

Baban magana