Israel Palestinians Embassy EFF

Israeli security forces run amid clashes with Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 10, 2021, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israel’s takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP)

SA told to ‘shutdown its Israel Embassy’ – as clashes with Palestinians continue

As running battles between Israeli forces and Palestinian citizens continue on Monday, the situation could have some serious repercussions in South Africa

Israel Palestinians Embassy EFF

Israeli security forces run amid clashes with Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 10, 2021, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israel’s takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP)

The EFF has made a frank and bellicose statement about the latest set of clashes between security forces in Israel and Palestinian citizens. The political party says that the ANC has taken a ‘weak position’ on the matter, with the Red Berets seeking a meeting with the Palestinian Embassy on Monday. However, the left-wingers want to kick things up a notch.

EFF demand Embassy closure over Jerusalem clashes

Earlier today, party representatives demanded the complete closure of Israel’s Embassy in South Africa. They are also lobbying for the removal of Mzansi’s Ambassador inside Israel, requesting for the delegation to return home.

“The Zionist state of Israel is contemptuous of the Holy Ramadan fasting period to engage in international and abhorrent criminal conduct. We call on the South African government to close down the Embassy of Israel – and recall our own representation from Tel Aviv. The statements issued by our party are irritating – this is a time for decisive action.” | EFF

Why is Israel fighting with Palestinians?

Scores of citizens were wounded in new clashes Monday between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in Jerusalem as a planned march marking Israel’s 1967 takeover of the holy city threatened to further inflame tensions.

“Hundreds of people are injured from the clashes” and about 50 were hospitalised, the Palestinian Red Crescent said about the latest unrest since violence escalated – following the last Friday prayers of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

The clashes were the latest in days of the worst such disturbances in Jerusalem since 2017, fuelled by a years-long bid by Jewish settlers to take over nearby Palestinian homes in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

The unrest of past weeks in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as their future capital, has multiple causes. Much of the recent violence stems from a long-running legal effort by Jewish settler groups to evict several Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. A court ruling earlier this year backing the settlers’ claim to the plots angered Palestinians.