South African gov’t warns citizens against joining Israeli forces

The South African government on Monday urged its nationals to avoid joining the Israeli armed forces as such acts may contribute to the violation of international law, Xinhua reports.

“The South African government is gravely concerned by reports that some South African citizens and permanent residents have joined or are considering joining the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the war in Gaza and in the other occupied Palestinian territories,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement.

“Such action can potentially contribute to the violation of international law and the commission of further international crimes, thus making them liable for prosecution in South Africa,” the statement said, adding that any person joining the IDF without the necessary permission of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee is breaking the law and can be prosecuted.

South African citizens should be made aware of the consequences of joining the IDF or any foreign armed forces involved in conflicts with a view to preventing inadvertent complicity in international crimes or violations of domestic law, according to the statement.