- Israeli sources say the visit by Hamas leaders shows the “cozy” relationship between South Africa
- The Israeli government accused South Africa of becoming the “legal wing of Hamas.”
South African leaders met Hamas militants on official visits to their country following the deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
A Hamas delegation visited South Africa in December, at a time when even Arab countries were distancing themselves from the terror group that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped about 250 in the atrocity.
Israeli sources said the Hamas leaders' visit showed the “cozy” relationship South Africa has had with the group over the years, which the sources said explains why the ANC-led government decided to take Israel to the International Court of Justice accused of genocide last week.
The Israeli government has rejected the claim, instead accusing South Africa of becoming the “legal wing of Hamas.”
Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli claimed that the South African delegation to the International Court of Justice hearings in The Hague included Shawan Jabarin, a “peace activist” accused of links to the terrorist group Popular Front For The Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Mr. Chikli published on
Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli claimed that the South African delegation to the International Court of Justice hearings in The Hague included Shawan Jabarin, a “peace activist” accused of having links to the terror group
Israel accuses the PFLP of involvement in Hamas-led attacks.
Mr Chikli posted on
Israeli sources have criticized South Africa for allowing Hamas leaders to visit their country after the October 7 attack.
Basem Naim, a leader in Hamas's political office, led the delegation to South Africa in December that included the group's representative in Iran, Ali Al-Qaddumi.
The group visited the South African parliament and politicians from the African National Congress and held a press conference in memory of the country's former president, Nelson Mandela.
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor spoke with Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh a few days after the October 7 attack
They also met Mandla Mandela, Mandela's grandson, at a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of the South African government.
It also emerged that South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor spoke to Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh a few days after the October 7 attack.
The State Department later clarified that the conversation was not intended to show support for Hamas but to reaffirm the government's solidarity with the Palestinian people.
A ministry statement said: “Minister Pandor and the Hamas leader.” [Haniyeh] Discussions were held about how to bring necessary humanitarian assistance to Gaza and other parts of the Palestinian territories.”
The South African government's apparent support for Hamas has divided both politicians and the public, as two victims of the October 7 attacks were Jews who were South African citizens.