WATCH | SOUTH AFRICA’S FM CONFRONTS US CRITICISM, HOPES FOR STRONGER TIES AMID HAMAS ALLEGATIONS

Thu 21 March 2024:

South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, recently engaged in a discussion with Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna in Washington, DC. The discussion revolved around a bill currently scrutinised by the US House of Representatives, which criticises South Africa’s affiliations with countries and entities considered to compromise US national security.

Pandor voiced her concerns, noting that South Africa appears to be disproportionately singled out in ways that other nations are not. She speculated that this might be linked to South Africa’s recent move to involve the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s conduct towards Palestine. This could potentially be causing unease in the US, and she subtly hinted at the possibility of racial bias.

Pandor expressed her strong aspiration to mend and sustain the enduring relationship between the US and South Africa. She debunked allegations about a partnership between South Africa and Hamas and highlighted South Africa’s neutral position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Despite South Africa’s robust relationships with Russia and China, Pandor stressed the country’s devotion to peace, negotiation and anti-oppression. In conclusion, while South Africa stands in solidarity with the Palestinians, it also advocates for the existence of Israel; however, it condemns the killing of innocent civilians in Palestine.