South African Parliament's vote to cut ties with Israel criticised

Pemmy Majodina, chief whip of the ruling African National Congress, addresses members of parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 21, 2023. [AP Photo]

South Africa's largest opposition party and main Jewish representative body have slammed parliament's decision to cut diplomatic ties with Israel. A majority of lawmakers voted for the motion to close Israel's embassy in Pretoria because of Israeli actions in Gaza.

During a heated session in South Africa's parliament on Tuesday, all members of the governing African National Congress - which has a long history of solidarity with the Palestinians -- voted in favor of cutting ties with Israel.