The Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions movement in South Africa (BDS South Africa) has expressed outrage at the fact that South African minister Blade Nzimande has been barred entry into Palestine by the Israeli government. Speaking on behalf of BDS South Africa, Muhammed Desai said the organisation would join the South African government in upcoming protest action as well as the diplomatic opposition against this move by the Israeli regime.

Desai stated that this cause a diplomatic crisis between Israel and the South African government as this is not the first time that Israel has banned a prominent South African figure, from entering the country. He noted that there is a long history of Israel banning South African citizens from its borders and expressed his hopes that the South African government uses its diplomatic options available to send a very clear message to the Israeli government that this is unacceptable.

“Beyond a diplomatic crisis we know that Israel has barred South African and Palestinians from entering the Palestinian areas for many years now. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was barred entry from the Gaza Strip just a few years ago as well as a Woolworths shareholder who had backed the #BoycottWoolworths campaign,” Desai explained.

In addition, BDS SA encouraged the South African government to kick out the Israeli ambassador as a form of diplomatic protest, stating that only through placing pressure on the Israeli government, will some sort of change take place.

The trip was meant to take place over a six day period where the Minister would take steps to further the collaboration between the University of Johannesburg and Birzeit University, an institution in Palestine.

“This is a spitting in the face of not only the Department of Higher Education and training but also a spitting in the face of all peace and justice loving south africans,” Desai continued. VOC (Umarah Hartley)