Israel berates SA over visit of Hamas leader

Israel berates SA over visit of Hamas leader

 20 October, 2015 07:16

Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal (R) speaks to South African President Jacob Zuma ahead of a media briefing at the headquarters of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg, October 19, 2015. Meshaal and a delegation from Palestine are in South Africa at the invitation of the ANC.
Image by: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko / REUTERS

The strained relations between South Africa and Israel suffered yet another blow following a visit to the country by the Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.

Yesterday Israeli media reported that Israel had summoned South Africa's deputy ambassador to deliver a "strong protest".

Last night the spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation Clayson Monyela said his department had not had any reports of its ambassadors being summoned.

Meshaal was invited to South Africa by the ANC and on Sunday met the party's "top six" leaders, including President Jacob Zuma.

Last night the ANC hosted a dinner for Meshaal.

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said Meshaal and his delegation had been invited to South Africa so they could learn from South Africa's experience under apartheid.

"It is also to register our support for the withdrawal of the occupying forces of Palestine," said Khoza.

The Media Review Network, which facilitated Meshaal's visit, said it had been trying to organise the visit since 2001.

Khoza said the delegation had a special security detail.

Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, said: "We believe this invitation encourages terror by giving some legitimacy to a terror organisation, recognised as such by the civilised world."

The European Union and the US have blacklisted Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, as a terror organisation.

Also opposing Meshaal's visit is the South African Zionist Federation.

"Contrary to what is claimed, the ideology, values, aims and strategies of Hamas are diametrically opposed to the principles of the ANC, as embodied in the Freedom Charter," the federation said.

"Simply speaking, Hamas wishes to destroy Israel altogether and seeks to establish an Islamist dictatorship in its place," it added.

Meshaal will be leaving South Africa for Doha in Qatar tomorrow after a morning visit to Cape Town
.