Cabinet to decide on Israeli embassy closure by year-end

THE Cabinet is expected to decide by the end of the year on the potential closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This was revealed by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces yesterday.

Responding to a question from EFF MP Virgill Gericke about the steps he has taken in honouring and executing the November 2023 resolution of the National Assembly to close down the Israeli embassy, Lamola said consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster system to prepare a memorandum for submission to the Cabinet.

"In accordance with the constitutional principle of the separation of powers, the authority to decide on the possible closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa rests solely with the Cabinet.

"Once Cabinet has deliberated and reached a final destination, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will act in accordance with these directives," he said.

Lamola indicated that the Israeli embassy remained downgraded.