Hamas welcomes South Africa party’s decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with Israel

Hamas welcomed a resolution adopted at the 54th National Conference of the African National Congress which calls to downgrade the South African embassy in Israel to a liaison office.

In an interview with Quds Press yesterday, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called for further measures to isolate Israel.

“Such steps must continue whether by parties, states or institutions, in the face of the unjust American and Israeli policies against the Palestinian people,” he added.

He also called for more measures to cut off all relationships and “isolate this occupying entity and its strategic ally the United States”.

Read: In major BDS win, South Africa university officially cuts ties with Israel

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) said in a statement that the decision was in line with the party’s values ​​and in support of the Palestinian people and their just cause.

It also condemned US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, describing the decision as “a provocative step” and called on the Trump administration to immediately reverse its decision.