Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to close Israel’s embassy in South Africa as a sign to show that the country will not be intimidated by foreign forces.
His remarks follow an Executive Order issued by US President Donald Trump over allegations of land expropriation by AfriForum following the enactment of the Expropriation Act.
During the State of the Nation Address last week, Ramaphosa announced that the country would not be bullied by foreign forces.
Speaking during parliament’s debate of the SONA in Cape Town, Malema says the country is being punished because of its case against Israel.
“Mr President, we are not being attacked by the Trump administration because you did anything wrong. They are attacking us because of our stand on Israel. They are attacking us because of the action the government has taken against ICJ and we are saying to you, do not be misled by people who are saying you are under siege because of expropriation, which is a meaningless act. That act does not say anything, and they all understand that language. They are using it to fight our case against Israel.”
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The EFF President and Commander In Chief @Julius_S_Malema debating the State Of The Nation Address (#SONA2025) in Parliament.
We stand on the shoulders of giants who confronted the establishment with their very lives, and we are willing to follow in their… pic.twitter.com/3TwbMBoIKG
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 11, 2025
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen and other majority of political parties represented in Parliament expressed deep concern on the position taken by the US administration to cut funding to South Africa.
The decision by the US President Donald Trump to sign the executive order took centre stage during the State of the Nation Address debate yesterday.
DA leader and Agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen says the position taken by the US calls for the Government of National Unity to unite.
“Potential threats on AGOA and possible even sanctions by a regime driven by the administration that will put America’s interests ahead of ours. And make no mistake about that. And so, what do we do? And if the country faces a crisis, it needs to unite and navigate the threat. And this is what we must do now. And the mu GNU must practice what it preaches. That is why in a variety of portfolios we have taken a decision to function like a lazy bee on growth and jobs. That is what the president has set out in his SONA.”
National Assembly debates President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SONA
