Trade Carries On as Politics Stall: Israel Calls for Dialogue with South Africa

Despite closed embassies and heated rhetoric, trade flows, but Israel says it wants to talk

In a country where government positions on Palestine spark emotional headlines and protest banners, Israel’s latest diplomatic visit may have gone largely unnoticed, but its message was clear: Let’s talk.

Israeli diplomat David Saranga, who holds a senior role in the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited South Africa this past week to stress his country’s desire for dialogue. Despite stark political differences, particularly over Gaza, Iran, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought by South Africa, Saranga believes it’s still possible and necessary to bridge the divide.

Tensions High, But Trade Unbroken

South Africa has no embassy in Israel. Its ambassador was withdrawn, and the political chill is hard to ignore. But Saranga is quick to point out that even in silence, the economic relationship continues.

“Despite the tensions, significant trade flows between our countries,” he told The Citizen in Pretoria. “We don’t see things the same way, but we must talk, even if it’s difficult.”

The Israeli embassy in Pretoria still operates, albeit without a full ambassador. Meanwhile, South Africans living in Israel are left without consular services, a consequence of Pretoria’s diplomatic stance.

The Gaza Conflict and ICJ Case: A Point of Contention

At the heart of the diplomatic freeze is South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ, where it accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.

Minister Ronald Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, reaffirmed Pretoria’s nuanced but firm stance: South Africa condemned Hamas’ actions on that day but maintains that “those attacks, heinous as they are, can never justify Israeli genocide against Palestinians.”

Quoting Amnesty International, Phiri pointed to the mass casualties in Gaza, with entire families wiped out by what he termed “deliberate, indiscriminate attacks.”

Israel’s Counterpoint: Iran, Human Rights, and Security

Saranga, a career diplomat with decades of international experience, pushed back, particularly on Iran, which South Africa maintains relations with.

“Iran is a tyranny. Human rights, gay rights, they don’t exist there,” said Saranga, who defended Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as preemptive and justified.

He called on the international community, including South Africa, to “support peace and stability in the Middle East” by backing Israel’s security decisions.

The Iranian Embassy in Pretoria said it would respond to Saranga’s comments in due course.

Cultural Divide or Political Strategy?

While the ANC government has long positioned itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause, many South Africans,  including in Jewish and business communities, maintain positive cultural and economic ties with Israel.

“People in South Africa have very positive sentiments toward Israel,” Saranga noted. “But when it comes to the government, we see a harsh line.”

On social media, reactions to Saranga’s visit were mixed. Some users welcomed the idea of dialogue, calling it “mature diplomacy in difficult times,” while others insisted South Africa must stay firm on its ICJ stance and “not legitimise apartheid.”

The Bigger Picture: Where to From Here?

South Africa’s foreign policy, especially under the ANC has often leaned toward solidarity with liberation movements and nations that once supported its own. Israel, with its military occupation of Palestinian territories, remains an uneasy partner in that context.

Yet, realpolitik persists: Trade between South Africa and Israel continues, and the need for consular services, cooperation on technology, agriculture, and medical innovation still exists.

Saranga may not have unlocked a diplomatic thaw, but his visit and his comments, may mark a soft reset in what has become one of South Africa’s most complicated foreign relationships.

As the Middle East remains volatile and South Africa pushes for international justice, the only certainty is this: the conversation is far from over, even if, officially, no one is picking up the phone.

{Source: The Citizen}

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