South Africa issued a stern warning on Monday against its citizens taking up arms with Israel, threatening prison terms for those who do so without government approval.
Officials said they were “deeply concerned” by reports that the country’s citizens had joined the Israel Defense Forces in its war in Gaza against Hamas, adding that such actions could violate domestic and international law.
“Any person who joins the IDF without the required permission from [National Conventional Arms Control Committee] violates the law and can be prosecuted,” South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement.
South Africans caught fighting in the IDF without approval can be sentenced to prison, while punishment for naturalized citizens can result in their citizenship being revoked, according to the country’s law.
The warning made it clear that the Republic of South Africa “does not support or agree with” Israel’s crusade against Hamas.
South Africa has warned that it is a crime for its citizens to join the Israel Defense Forces without prior approval. IDF/GPO/SIPA/Shutterstock
Last month, the country’s parliament voted to cut diplomatic ties with Israel shortly after filing a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.
President Cyril Ramaphosa previously accused Israel of war crimes and acting “akin to genocide” just three weeks into the war.
Although he has condemned Hamas for the October 7 surprise attack that killed 1,200 people, Ramaphosa accused Israel of responding illegally by punishing Palestinian civilians through relentless bombardment and deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of committing war crimes and acting “akin to genocide.” AP
Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Talks for a second temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and hostage-release talks appeared to have broken down Thursday after Hamas officials were angered by Israeli comments that fighting would continue regardless of the cease-fire.
Hamas leaders claim the Jewish state is trying to lure the group to a temporary halt instead of ending the war that has left Gaza in shambles, pointing to recent comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating the IDF will not stop fighting until Hamas is eliminated.
Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, Gaza officials said. via REUTERS
“Anyone who thinks we’re going to stop is out of touch with reality,” he said Wednesday night. “We continue the war until the end. It will continue until Hamas is eliminated — until victory.”
The Jewish state believes there are still 128 hostages in Gaza, not all of them alive, following a week-long ceasefire deal that saw 105 captives released last month.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
