Xenophobia: South African Minister Denied Visa To Enter Israel

Their people suffered xenophobia back in the 1940s, so I guess they have zero tolerance for it. A minister from South Africa was denied visa to visit Israel for diplomatic work.

Aljazeera reports

The government of South Africa has expressed outrage after Israel's decision to deny a visa to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. Clayson Monyela, Deputy Director General of Department of International Relations and Cooperation, told Al Jazeera on Thursday the Israeli government needed to offer a reason for the snubbing. 

"We are taking it up through the proper channels. We need to receive a proper explanation for the denial of a visa to a sitting cabinet minister," Monyela said.

The minister was scheduled to travel to the occupied Palestinian territories from April 25-29. He was scheduled to secure further collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and institutions in Palestine.

Nzimande's spokesperson told local media that the denial of the visa had caused a "serious diplomatic problem".

Naeem Jeenah, Director of Afro-Middle East Centre, based in Johannesburg, described the snubbing as "surprising" considering the two countries' growing trade relations.

Jeenah said the Palestinian solidarity movement in South Africa "would be thrilled" with Israel's decision "because South Africa now has to respond to this matter".

Arthur Lenk, the Israeli ambassador in Pretoria, told Al Jazeera that South African officials routinely visit the West Bank through Israel.

Lenk would not be drawn into discussing why specifically Nzimande's visa application was denied, though he described the minister as being "very vocal on a range of issues connected to Israel, South Africa and my region".

The ambassador said the decision to deny the visa was made in Israel.

"The decision came from Jerusalem," Lenk said.
Vocal critic of Israel
But Jeenah said that anything the Israelis say on the matter "could really only make the situation worse".

The Palestinian embassy in South Africa described the decision as "racist".
"We take note by this aggressive action that Israel is trying to implement the same rule as in the previous apartheid regime of South Africa," the embassy said in a statement.

The Palestinian lobby group Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS-South Africa) released a statement saying it's "more confident than ever that its time to expel the Israeli Ambassador from South Africa".



"Israel cannot want to tell us who our friends should be, where we should travel and who we can speak with." BDS said.

Nzimande has been a vocal critic of Israel. His spokesperson said on Thursday the minister would call on all higher education institutions to cut ties with their counterparts in Israel.

"We must just boycott Israel," Nkwanyana reportedly said.

South Africa currently has full diplomatic relations with Israel and recognises Israel within the borders demarcated by the United Nations (UN) in 1948.

CLICK HERE to follow us on Google+ so as to get instant updates on published posts.

CLICK HERE to Subscribe to our BBM Channel (C002D3966 or search for '9ja Ninja') to get live updates on published post.

Follow @9ja_Ninja

Please drop your comments below

Top Stories

1. See The Wonderful Thing Buhari Is Bringing To Nigeria
2. I Just Lost The Man who Love Me Bcos I Slept with Many Men
3. Foods That Help Men Satisfy Their Wives Greatly In Bed
4. GUYS; 8 Ways Ladies Act When They Want You To Ask Them Out
5. Tonto Dikeh Misses Her Man, Shares A Photo Of Them Kissing
6. ISIS Jihadists Hug 2 Gay Men Before Stoning Them To Death [Disturbing images]
7. Reminsce Shares Adorable Pic Of Himself & Iya Hafusa... Guess What??
8. Funmi Iyanda Shares Rare Pic Of Her Daughter As Turns A Year Older
9. Xenophobia: Malawians Boycott All South African Owned Businesses In Their Country
10. Fashola To Be Honoured Internationally Alongside Tunisian President, Others For A Job Well Done
11. DAMN!!! See I Go Dye in Epic Throwback Pic
12. Woman Dies After Accidentally Eating Poisoned Soup She Prepared For Her Husband
13. 2 Kings, 1 Servant - Fan Blast Yung6ix For Famzing Phyno & Olamide
14. Dad Makes Daughter Wear T-Shirt With His Face On It To Scare Off Boys
15. Photo: Man Murdered While Jogging In Lagos
16. Amazing! See How a Hairstylist Transformed an almost Bald Lady's Hair
17. Singer, Maheeda Rocks With Orange Hair
18. Photos: Mercy Aigbe Steps Out In Ripped Jeans
19. Done With Men? Miley Cyrus Seen Sharing A Passionate Kiss With A Girl
20. Pakistani Woman Burnt Alive By Husband And Father-in-law For Going Out Without Their Permission
21. Chika Ike Celebrates Being Celibate For Five Months
22. Buhari Meets Man Who Trekked From Lagos To Abuja For Him (Photo)
23. Wow! Tonto Dikeh Burns Bags from Luxury Shopper She Refused to Pay For (Videos)
24. Buhari Appoints #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) Founder as Member of His Inauguration Committee
25. Four Nigerians To Be Executed In Indonesia Tomorrow - SEE Why!

Go Home