South Africa condemns granting Israel observer status at the African Union

South Africa on Wednesday condemned the decision of the African Union Commission to grant Israel an official observer status at the African Union.

 The government of South Africa is appalled at the unjust and unwarranted decision of the AU Commission to grant Israel observer status in the African Union.  The African Union Commission has taken this decision unilaterally without consultations with its members,” said spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Clayson Monyela, according to the International News Online website.

“The decision to grant Israel observer status is even more shocking in a year in which the oppressed people of Palestine were hounded by destructive bombardments and continued illegal settlements of the land. The African Union strenuously objected to the deaths of Palestinians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.”

It added that the decision is unjust, unjustified and inexplicable

 Hamda Mustafa