Cabinet won’t be influenced when it decides to shut down Israeli embassy – DIRCO Minister
Ronald Lamola was responding to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as part of the peace and security cluster.
FILE: International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola says Cabinet won’t be influenced by external forces when it decides to shut down the Israeli embassy.
He says the final decision to close down the embassy is still being processed by Cabinet and all factors are being considered objectively.
Lamola was responding to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as part of the peace and security cluster.
Lamola was asked about the closure of the Israeli embassy after the National Assembly took a resolution to close it during the sixth administration.
He was asked by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s Virgill Gericke what was behind the delay.
“What outside forces are exerting pressure on individuals, Cabinet or the government to renege on its initial resolution to close the Israeli embassy?”
Lamola says the closure is being processed in line with the Constitution.
“It will be processed objectively in line with the Constitution with no external pressure to be exerted on the South African government by any forces or anyone.”
He says the embassy has been downgraded and a final decision on its closure will happen before the end of the year.