NEW YORK – May 24, 2024 – The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) addresses today’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which seeks to limit Israel’s military actions in Gaza against the Hamas terror group. The case was brought against Israel by South Africa, alleging violations of international law.

Dr. Charles Asher Small, Executive Director of ISGAP, issued the following statement in response to the ICJ ruling: “The ICJ’s ruling is a stark reminder of how South Africa, which has become a hub for extremist activities across the African continent, continues to embrace antisemitic ideologies and support state-sponsored terror. Maintaining close ties with and acting on behalf of Iran, Qatar and Hamas, South Africa has become a leading voice for terror. By bringing this case against Israel and in favour of Hamas, South Africa further positions itself as a bad actor on the global stage. The time has come for the international community to recognize and address South Africa’s alarming connections with terror-supporting states and entities.”

ISGAP is set to release a new report that sheds light on South Africa’s alarming role in supporting Islamic terror networks, including via its close ties with Iran, Qatar and Hamas. This comprehensive analysis reveals the South Africa’s strategic position as a logistical hub for extremist activities across the African continent and its worrying connections with state-sponsored terror backed by Iran.

Key findings of the report include:

  • South Africa serves as a crucial base of operations for Islamic terror groups, facilitating connections with networks throughout Africa.
  • Despite long-standing U.S. sanctions, international Islamist entities with terror links continue to operate freely within South Africa, evading global scrutiny.
  • A damning Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report highlights South Africa’s failure to effectively identify, investigate, or prosecute terrorist financiers, revealing critical gaps in its anti-terrorism financing measures.
  • The African National Congress (ANC) maintains close relationships with Qatar, Iran, and terror groups like Hamas, evidenced by a notable increase in direct with them around the time of the Hamas October 7th attacks in Israel.
  • Concerns have been mounting over the possibility that Iran funded South Africa’s ANC party in exchange for favorable outcomes in ICJ cases, especially since the ANC’s sudden financial stabilization in early January 2024, after years teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, remains shrouded in mystery and devoid of any detailed explanation.

This ISGAP report not only exposes the depth of South Africa’s entanglements with terror-supporting states and entities but also underscores the urgent need for international attention and action to address these serious security concerns.