South Africa鈥檚 parliament voted on March 7 to downgrade the status of Israel鈥檚 embassy in the country to 鈥渓iaison office鈥, due to Israel's continued violation of Palestinian human rights. The draft resolution passed with 208 votes in favour and 94 against.
Following the vote, MP Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam 鈥 who introduced the draft resolution 鈥 : 鈥淭his is a moment Madiba [Nelson Mandela] would be proud of.鈥
Shaik Emam denounced Israel鈥檚 colonial occupation and ongoing violations of Palestinian human rights. 鈥淭he state of Israel was built through the displacement, murder and maiming of Palestinians,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd to maintain their grip on power, they have instituted apartheid to control and manage Palestinians.鈥
Israel鈥檚 apartheid system contravenes international law and violates the human rights of Palestinians, he said.
鈥淎s South Africans, we refuse to stand by while apartheid is being perpetrated again.鈥
This comes after the Israeli delegation was expelled from the African Union summit 鈥 a meeting of leaders and diplomats from across the continent 鈥 last month due to pressure from Algeria and South Africa.
A draft declaration circulated at the end of the summit Israel鈥檚 continued occupation and expressed 鈥渇ull support鈥 for the Palestinian struggle. The declaration also urged all member states to 鈥渆nd all direct and indirect trade, scientific and cultural exchanges鈥 with Israel.
A week before, Barcelona official ties with Israel over its violation of Palestinian human rights.
Israeli forces have at least 69 Palestinians since the start of the year, further emboldened by the new far-right Benjamin Netanyahu government.