Outrage among S. Africa groups after Israel denies visa to minister

Groups in South Africa have called for the expulsion of Israeli ambassador to South Africa after Israel denied a visa to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, who was scheduled to visit the West Bank through Israel.

The South African Communist Party (SACP), the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement demanded that the government expel Ambassador Arthur Lenk.

The groups said they gave Israel a 10-day ultimatum to issue Nzimande a visa or the Israeli embassy would risk a demonstration.

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), which represent the Jewish community in the country, also voiced their concern regarding the visa denial, calling it "regrettable."

The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Tuesday said it was surprised by the Israeli move.

Nzimande, who is also the SACP's secretary-general, planned to visit Palestine on April 25 to 29 at the invitation by his Palestinian counterpart Khawla Shaksheer. The trip was set to promote cooperation in academic research between the University of Johannesburg and institutions in Palestine.

Nzimande's spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana told media the visa denial was "a diplomatic slap on the face of South Africa."

He admitted that Nzimande is "an outspoken critic of Israeli policies towards Palestine."

Speaking at the University of Johannesburg in August last year, Nzimande criticized Israel for "waging a vicious campaign against Palestinians."

His remarks were criticized earlier by the SAZF's chairman, Ben Levitas, who was quoted by a newspaper on Tuesday as saying the visa denial was "a good move." "Nzimande has overstepped the line of protocol by the slanderous remarks he has made in many of his speeches, accusing Israel of 'committing massacres and genocide.'" he was quoted as saying. Endi