The SAZF condemns Iran’s attack on Israel and calls on the South African government to denounce this act of war.

2 October 2024

The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) unequivocally condemns Iran's unprovoked missile attack on Israel yesterday evening. This assault constitutes a brazen and dangerous escalation that, if left unchecked, gravely threatens Israel's security and the stability of the entire region. Tehran's actions once again demonstrate its blatant disregard for international law and underscore its role as the primary destabilising force in the Middle East.

We call upon the South African government to immediately and forcefully denounce the Iranian regime and stand resolute against the ongoing existential threats to Israel. It is deeply troubling that while DIRCO swiftly condemned the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah—a man responsible for the slaughter of thousands of innocents—it remains conspicuously silent on Iran's act of aggression. 

Should the government persist in its silence, it will irrefutably prove that the ANC prioritises its support for rogue states and terror organisations over any purported commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

Iran's decision to launch missiles at Tel Aviv and its surroundings is a blatant act of aggression. This reckless behaviour not only jeopardised countless innocent lives but also exposes the utter futility of attempts to appease the Iranian regime. The international community must now take an uncompromising stance against such egregious violence and hold Iran fully accountable for its actions. A coordinated and robust international response is imperative to curb Iran's malevolent and destructive influence.

Israel, like any sovereign nation, possesses the inalienable right to defend itself against external threats. The SAZF stands in unwavering solidarity with Israelis as they confront multiple, simultaneous threats from Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, Iraq and Iran. It is incumbent upon the global community to rally behind the Middle East's sole democracy and ensure that Iran faces severe consequences—not only for this attack but for its persistent destabilisation of the region through its network of proxy forces. 

The time for equivocation is over. 

Issued by Rolene Marks, Spokesperson SAZF, 2 October 2024