South Africa threatens to arrest dual nationals who fight alongside the Israeli army if they return to the country

Johannesburg: South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor revealed her country's readiness to arrest dual nationals who serve in the Israeli army upon their return to the country.

Today, Wednesday, the Israeli “i24” website quoted Pandor as saying: “I have already issued a statement to warn those who are from South Africa, and who are fighting alongside the Israeli army forces or in its ranks; “We are ready – when you return home, we will arrest you.”

South Africa filed a case in the International Court of Justice last January against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide in its war on the Gaza Strip.

Pretoria warned last December that its citizens fighting alongside Israel in Gaza could face prosecution at home, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa again condemned the conflict, calling it “genocide.”

The Foreign Ministry in Johannesburg said it was “deeply concerned by reports that some South African citizens have joined the Israeli army to fight in Gaza, or are considering doing so.”

The Ministry stressed that “such actions could contribute to violating international law and committing more international crimes, making their perpetrators vulnerable to prosecution in South Africa.”