Rep. Steube: Hold South Africa Accountable for Antisemitism
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Addressing Hostile and Antisemitic Conduct by the Republic of South Africa Act of 2025.
This bill would suspend direct assistance to South Africa while imposing targeted sanctions on political leaders responsible for their government’s antagonism towards the United States and its allies, lawfare against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and aligning with Iranian economic and military interests.
“It is clear as day that the Government of South Africa is unfairly targeting the State of Israel and inciting hostility towards the United States and our allies,” said Rep. Steube. “South Africa’s purported grievances against Israel are nothing more than antisemitism wrapped in a bad-faith interpretation of international law. America has no business engaging with a corrupt government that weaponizes its political system against the Jewish people while jeopardizing our national security interests by indulging terrorist organizations and their sponsors. That is why I have proposed cutting off all direct assistance to South Africa and sanctioning their leaders until they stop abusing international institutions and catering to Iran and its terrorist proxies.”
Background:
- The Government of South Africa has aligned itself with enemies of the United States, including Iran and the terrorist organization Hamas. Only ten days after the October 7th attacks, South Africa’s foreign minister expressed support for Hamas in a phone call with representatives of the terrorist organization.
- Two months following the October 7th attacks, Hamas sent a senior delegation to South Africa for the Fifth Global Convention of Solidarity with Palestine. Shortly thereafter, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa welcomed representatives of Hamas for formal meetings in Johannesburg.
- In 2023, Iran and South Africa signed a cooperation agreement expanding economic ties between their two nations, including the development of five oil refineries in South Africa by the Iranian Oil Ministry.
- While the Government of South Africa has used lawfare to accuse the State of Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice, it has repeatedly turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Hamas and Iran against Israel and the United States.
- By suspending direct assistance to the Government of South Africa and imposing targeted sanctions on its political leadership, the Addressing Hostile and Antisemitic Conduct by the Republic of South Africa Act of 2025 would help codify provisions of President Trump’s Exec. Order No. 14204 (2025), Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa.
Read the full bill text here.
