DIRCO to submit new discussion paper on Israel to Cabinet in 2026

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said it will in the new year submit a new discussion paper on Israel to Cabinet.

Director general Zane Dangor said the document considers South Africa’s legal responsibilities as a third-party State in relation to Israel’s breaches of international law.

On Wednesday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) once again pushed for government to explain the delays in implementing a parliamentary motion adopted in the previous Parliament to shut down its diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv.

However, South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, Shaun Byneveldt, said members of Parliament (MPs) have to be mindful of the intrinsic connection between Israel and the occupied territories.

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Dangor said the department regularly engages the Presidency on matters of foreign policy, including those related to Israel.

“We’ve just given another briefing document this week. Hopefully we can engage with the entire executive quite soon.”

Officials from the department explained that while there are no diplomatic staff members in Israel and it no longer has a physical chancery, five staff, including a consular clerk and a politico secretary, they are stationed in Tel Aviv at a cost of almost R400,000 a month.

South Africa also has a residence in the city that requires upkeep.

But the EFF’s Nqobile Mhlongo wanted to know whether the department intends severing all links to the country.

“Our presence there with the resolution of the sixth Parliament that we must cut all diplomatic ties is not necessary anymore or they’ve just been quiet and simply waiting for the president to initiate talks?”

Ambassador to Palestine Shaun Byneveldt, who is stationed in Ramallah, said travel to and from the West Bank requires permission from Israel and a foreign office in Tel Aviv supports South Africa’s presence in the region.