SAJBD criticises DIRCO for neglecting South Africans stranded in Israel

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has criticised the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for showing favouritism towards South Africans in Iran while neglecting those stranded in Israel.

In a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the SAJBD highlighted the lack of consular support for South Africans in Israel, including young Jewish people studying at universities, families on holiday, and Christian people on pilgrimages.

DIRCO Monday issued a statement urging South Africans in Iran to register with the embassy and stay in contact with the SA Embassy in Teheran.

However, no similar call was made for South Africans in Israel, raising concerns about the government’s constitutional obligations to all citizens regardless of their travel destinations.

The SAJBD accused President Ramaphosa of abandoning South Africans in Israel for political reasons, citing the closure of the embassy in Tel Aviv and the lack of consular assistance.

The organisation noted that the president had promised to address their concerns during a meeting in December 2023, but the recent DIRCO statement contradicted his assurances.

The SAJBD called on President Ramaphosa to fulfill the government responsibilities to its citizens, regardless of their religious or cultural background.

The organisation emphasised that South Africans in Israel deserved the same level of support as those in Iran, and urged the president to show empathy and concern for all citizens in need of consular assistance.