Mapaballo Borotho

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria remains downgraded.
Lamola was responding to questions before the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
The Israeli Embassy was downgraded by Parliament in 2023, following its continued occupation of Palestine.
“Consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster systems to prepare a memorandum for submission to the cabinet.
“In accordance with the constitutional principle of the separation of powers, the authority to decide when the possible closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa lies solely with the cabinet.
“Once the cabinet has deliberated and reached its final decision, then my department will act according to these directives. at this stage, the embassy remains downgraded,” Lamola said.
South Africa’s decision to downgrade the embassy in 2023 was a ,clear shift in foreign policy aimed at expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemning Israeli policies regarded as violations of international law.
The downgrade has resulted in a reduction of diplomatic activities, but the embassy continues to operate in Pretoria.
READ NEXT: SA government urges de-escalation amid rising Israel-Iran tensions



