Israel 'not to blame' for US punishing SA

A former Israeli member of parliament denies the country is putting pressure on the US to punish South Africa and to drop its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

- Itumeleng Mafisa

Israel had bigger problems to worry about, said Ruth Wasserman Lande, a member of the Knesset for the Blue and White party until 2022.

"I do not think that Israel has called for sanctions against SA. Israel has so many things to ask of America. We have a list of things to ask from America, a threat with Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza," Lande said.

A senior leader in Palestine's Fatah party, Dr Sabri Saidam, said he also believed there may not be anything sinister in Donald Trump's treatment towards South Africa, adding the US president is causing havoc worldwide.