South Africa Threatens to Prosecute Citizens Who Join Israeli Military

The South African government has threatened to prosecute its citizens who join the Israeli military and fight alongside its soldiers in Gaza. 

Upon their return home, naturalized citizens could also lose their South African nationality, the South African Foreign Ministry said in response Monday to “gravely” concerning reports that some “citizens and permanent residents have joined or are considering joining” the Israeli Defense Forces.

“Such action can potentially contribute to the violation of international law and the commission of further international crimes, thus making them liable for prosecution in South Africa,” the statement read.

Citizens must first get government permission to fight alongside Israel. 

It remains unclear how many South Africans are believed to have joined the IDF, but the government previously claimed to be tracking them down, according to the Times of Israel.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration have been outspoken in support of Palestine since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas War on Oct. 7, condemning Israel's actions on several occasions.

“The scale of deaths in Gaza are a direct result of the unlawful actions by Israel on the peoples of Gaza,” the ministry previously said in a statement in October, calling on the international community to hold Israel accountable for alleged breaches of international law.