South African Jews criticize Israel for denying minister entry

South African minister, who was denied visa to Ramallah by Israel, insists he will `definitely` visit the PA

South Africa`s Jewish community leaders slammed the Israeli government Tuesday for denying a cabinet minister entry to the country, calling the move "most regrettable."

"This is most regrettable," the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the country`s Zionist Federation said in a statement, adding that "regular interaction between Israel and South Africa and mutual visits of political leaders, parliamentarians and government officials, as well as business people, media, tourists and family visits, are to the benefit of both South Africa and Israel and foster greater understanding between the two countries."

South African Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, who planned to visit Ramallah following an invitation from his Palestinian counterpart from April 25-29 but was denied entry permission by Israel, insisted that he will "definitely" visit the Palestinian Authority despite Israel`s actions, his spokesman Alex Mashil told The Times of Israel on Monday.

Pretoria might "take action" if the ban is not lifted, Mashil threatened.

"We will not allow Israel to determine for us which minister in the cabinet can or cannot visit Palestine. That undermines our sovereignty and national self-determination and we will not allow it," he said.

"Ministre sud-africain Blade Nzimande, AFP"

Nzimande - the leader of the South African Communist Party - called the refusal to issue him a visa a "declaration of diplomatic aggression on our government."

The South African Communist Party said it "condemns in strongest terms possible, the apartheid Israeli regime`s decision."

"The SACP calls on our government to reciprocate and reject Israeli requests for visits to South Africa," it said.

The party added that it intends to "further intensify its campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel."

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Friday slammed the South African Communist Party, saying the statements by the South African party were "hypocritical," citing recent events against foreigners in South Africa which he described as "racist."

Israel`s ambassador in Pretoria, Arthur Lenk, refused to comment on this "specific consular issue that was decided in Jerusalem."

"We have no problem with the fact that South Africa has a close relationship with our neighbors," Lenk told The Times of Israel on Monday.

Following the dispute the South African Communist Party and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement announced in a statement on Monday they will soon unveil a plan to hold Israel accountable for its right-wing discriminatory policies, The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday.

"The Israeli government is trying by all means to hide their atrocities against the Palestinian people, and minimize the number of people who can actually see what is happening on the ground," Nzimande told South African media.

According to the BDS movement, "South African political and civil society views the denial of entry to Palestine by Israel as an affront on not only the minister, the Department of Higher Education and Training but also on the South African government and her people" and, as such, a coalition of groups will present a "plan of action to hold Israel accountable for its right-wing discriminatory policies."