Jewish Agency Chairman Cancels South Africa Trip Over Arrest Fears

Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency and retired IDF Major General, canceled a planned trip to South Africa due to fears that authorities there might seek his arrest on war crimes charges. South Africa, known for its strong criticism of Israel, has taken legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza, and has applauded ICC arrest warrants against Israeli officials. Almog, who lost family members in the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, has previously faced arrest threats abroad, including an incident in the UK where he was prevented from leaving the plane due to a war crimes warrant. The Jewish Agency emphasized its ongoing efforts to maintain connections between Jewish communities worldwide despite the diplomatic tensions. Relations between South Africa and Israel have deteriorated significantly, including mutual withdrawal of ambassadors and proposals to close Israeli missions. Almog’s cancellation reflects the broader challenges faced by Israeli officials amid international legal and diplomatic pressures related to the Gaza conflict.