Israel protests against Hamas leadership’s visit to South Africa

The Israeli foreign ministry yesterday summed the South African deputy ambassador to Tel Aviv in protest against the Hamas leadership’s visit to his country, the Anadolu Agency reported.

According to Israeli Radio, Tel Aviv protested against an invitation given by South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) Party to Hamas Chief Khaled Meshaal and a number of senior Hamas leaders.

Meshaal and the Hamas leaders arrived in South Africa on Sunday and conducted discussions with the leadership of the ANC which reiterated its support for the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinians to establish their state.

According to a schedule released by the ANC, the delegation will meet separately with Muslim representatives, Catholic Bishops, and a “progressive Jewish group”.

According to Israeli Radio, the Israeli foreign ministry told the South African official that Hamas’s visit to his country “gives support and encouragement for terrorism and pointedly ignores the position of the international community, which views Hamas as a terrorist organisation.”