The ACDP has accused the South African government of hypocrisy for releasing a statement condemning Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

In a media statement released on Tuesday, the ACDP says: “For decades, the Iranian regime has made it very clear for all the world to know that their ultimate goal is to completely annihilate the State of Israel. Neither South Africa nor the International Community have ever condemned Iran for such reprehensible threats and utterances. It is hypocritical for South Africa to condemn Israel for using pre-emptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities when Iran was planning to use them in their annihilation of Israel.

“The ACDP believes that no nation has the right to remove another nation from the face of the earth.

“Last week, the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), found that Iran was, for the first time in 20 years, in breach of its nuclear obligations. Regrettably, South Africa abstained on the UN vote, despite the fact that Iran’s uranium enrichment process (now at 60%, which is not needed for peaceful nuclear purposes) posed an existential threat to Israel. This is disgraceful, given that South Africa dismantled its nuclear devices and only uses nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

“Iran’s recent accumulation of highly enriched uranium – a third of which was obtained in the past three months alone – marks a rapid and dangerous escalation of this threat. This, coupled with its ties to regional terror networks and growing military capability, left Israel with no choice but to act decisively.”

The ACDP media release commends G7 leaders for expressing support for Israel in a statement issued late on Monday, in which it called Iran a source of instability in the Middle East and affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.

Dirco statement

In a statement released last Friday, the SA Department of International Relations and Cooperation said: “South Africa expresses profound concern regarding the attacks conducted by Israel on targets within Iran on 13 June 2025, including reported impacts on military areas, nuclear facilities, and civilian infrastructure. Reports of civilian casualties, alongside military personnel, are deeply troubling.

“These actions raise serious concerns under international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of civilians enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law.

“South Africa notes with particular concern the implications for nuclear safety and security arising from attacks in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. We recall the firm stance of the IAEA General Conference, reflected in resolutions such as GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, against armed attacks on peaceful nuclear installations as violations of the UN Charter and international law.

“Article 51 of the UN Charter provides for self-defence only when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion. Thus, Israel’s public announcement of acting in pre-emptive self-defence is not valid and its actions are once again, unlawful. Anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law. Self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation.

“South Africa extends its sincere condolences to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the families of all victims.

“We reiterate our unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes. South Africa urges maximum restraint by all parties and calls for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote stability in the Middle East. We support ongoing bilateral discussions, such as those between the USA and Iran, and reaffirm the critical importance of establishing a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East.”

Chief Rabbi Goldstein

Meanwhile, Israel International News reported on Thursday that SA Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein has also condemned the SA government’s statement defending Iran in the wake of Israel’s recent pre-emptive strike on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme, calling the government’s stance “disgraceful — but not unexpected.”

The report continues:

In his address, Rabbi Goldstein accused the South African government of “providing diplomatic and related cover for Iran’s nuclear weapons program.”

“Israel’s strike on Iran was a 1-minute-to-midnight action to head off the annihilation of the Jewish state, and prevent another Holocaust,” Rabbi Goldstein said.

“It is therefore shameful that the South African government came to Iran’s defence, stating there was no imminent threat to Israel or the West from the regime.”

He cited longstanding concerns raised internationally, including allegations from the United States itself.

“South Africa has not only failed to condemn Iran’s aggression,” he said. Over the last few years, and especially since October 7, it has welcomed the regime. Engaged with it. Partnered militarily. The Trump administration went so far as to declare South Africa a national security threat to the US because of this continued cosying up to a violent dictatorship, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.”

The chief rabbi was referring to a recent executive order issued by the Trump administration accusing the South African government of “reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements… posing national security threats to our nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests.”

He warned that the South African government’s statement of support had undone what limited progress the country had made in finding common ground with the US in pursuit of a much-needed trade and investment deal.

“We must hope that any actions now taken against those SA officials, politicians, and other organisations implicated in aiding Iran do not cause ordinary South Africans to pay the price for such malevolence.”

Rabbi Goldstein’s criticism was not reserved only for his own government— he also called out Western nations for their tepid support, and sometimes outright criticism of Israel’s pre-emptive strike on Iran, which he claimed had safeguarded not only the Jewish state itself, but countries throughout the Western world.

“Iran fights back by launching missiles at Israel’s civilian centers, condemnation for which is, as expected, muted in the international media and community of nations,” he said.

“Westerners mustn’t forget the jihadist chant: ‘First Saturday, then Sunday.’ Had Israel been annihilated in a nuclear attack, Iran would have aimed its nuclear arsenal at Europe and the US.

“Everyone knows that Iran must be disarmed,” he added, “but none have Israel’s courage to do what must be done. If they won’t help, they should at least express their gratitude.”

The chief rabbi pointed to recent findings by the International Atomic Energy Agency that the Iranian regime had enriched uranium to 60% — dangerously close to the 90% required for weapons-grade — and had begun implosion testing, an unmistakable sign of nearing weaponization.

“According to experts, Iran has enough 60% enriched uranium to construct up to 10 nuclear bombs within weeks. The science, therefore, indicates that Iran was just weeks away from possessing nuclear weapons.”

He underlined that this was not simply a vague threat or hypothetical danger, citing various “blood-curdling” statements from Iranian leaders who have described the Jewish state as a “cancerous tumor” that must be “cut out” and “eliminated from the geographies of the world.”

“There can be no doubt. Iran’s intent to exterminate the Jewish people has been made clear in word and in deed. The Islamic Republic emblazons ‘Death to Israel and America’ on banners in official processions, and flight-tests ballistic missiles with genocidal slogans against Israel inscribed in Hebrew.”

With the United States having granted Iran a 60-day window to negotiate, and that window closing without progress, Rabbi Goldstein emphasized that diplomacy had run its course. Day 62 marked Israel’s pre-emptive strike — a strike, he argued, not only justified, but morally essential.

“Had Iran been able to develop a nuclear bomb and announce it via a successful test, it would have been too late to launch a pre-emptive strike. Iran would have gained the leverage to completely shift the balance of power, both in the Middle East and globally,” he said.

“Israel acted. And in doing so, it protected not only itself, but the free world.”

‘SA Government ignores plight of citizens in Israel’

In a report published on Thursday SA Jewish report writes:

The past week has brought rapid and unsettling developments in the conflict in Israel, with Israel launching strikes against Iranian military and key strategic targets. We earnestly hope that Israel can achieve the stated objectives of this conflict, paving the way for a future free from the existential threat posed by an enemy state intent on its destruction. Our history as Jews, including the tragic events of 7 October 2023 have starkly reminded us that when an adversary openly declares its intent to annihilate you, you should take them at their word.

Predictably, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) issued an initial statement expressing “profound concern” over Israel’s military actions against Iran, highlighting specific worries about risks to nuclear safety and security due to strikes near nuclear facilities. The statement extended condolences to Iran and the families of its victims, yet conspicuously omitted any mention of Iranian aggression, Israeli civilian casualties, Iran’s deliberate targeting of civilian areas, or the reason that Israel was targeting nuclear facilities.

In response, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies issued a clear and unequivocal statement, condemning Dirco’s one-sided stance. We noted that South Africa’s government has a troubling history of aligning with authoritarian regimes known for oppressing their own people and exporting terror. We further criticised Dirco for failing to provide any context for Israel’s actions, placing all blame squarely on Israel, and for its disregard for Jewish lives.

Dirco responded on 15 June, in which it extended “deepest condolences to the peoples of both nations suffering from the tragic loss of life”. It further emphasised that “under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be considered legitimate targets”. While we welcome this shift in tone, it was quickly overshadowed by the government’s subsequent actions. On the same day, Dirco issued a travel advisory urging South African citizens in Iran to exercise caution and register with the South African embassy in Tehran. Reprehensibly, the statement doesn’t offer similar advice or services to its citizens in Israel.

Given this lack of empathy and concern, the Board has stepped in wherever possible and provided assistance and support to various South Africans unable to return home and caught in this most frightening and precarious situation.

We do, however, wish to register our condemnation of this hypocrisy shown again by Dirco, and have released an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The letter highlights the government’s selective consular support, which extends only to South Africans in Iran, while showing disinterest and a complete lack of concern for the many South Africans, be they Christian, Jewish, or Muslim who are stranded in Israel. We understand this to be a violation of the president’s constitutional obligations to citizens, whom he appears to be willing to abandon for his own political agenda. The government’s stance on this situation confirms once again its lack of empathy, not only for the citizens of Israel, but for its own citizens in Israel.

The Board previously raised concerns about lack of consular support for South Africans in Israel at a meeting with Ramaphosa in December 2023, where we were assured that our citizens in Israel would receive the necessary services. Dirco’s latest statement validates our concern that, in times of crisis, South Africans visiting Israel have no access to consular support.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this conflict, and we hope to see a swift and decisive end to this war that will cement a more peaceful existence for all the people of Israel and the Middle East.

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