Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., has been expelled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio due to his critical remarks about President Trump. This diplomatic rift reflects wider tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict and South Africa’s property expropriation law.
Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, has been ordered to leave the U.S. by Friday, pursuant to a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio who granted him a “persona non grata” status. Such expulsion of a high-ranking diplomat is an unusual event in U.S. diplomatic history.
The ultimatum follows Rasool’s remarks during an online discussion with a South African think tank, where he criticized President Donald Trump for what he termed as a “disrespect” towards the existing global order, attributing it to elements of white supremacy.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce elaborated on the situation, stating, “I think, at the very least, what we should expect, is a standard of some respect… this particular individual certainly didn’t meet that standard.”
The diplomatic tension escalates amidst the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, with South Africa supporting a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice regarding alleged genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
Additionally, since assuming office, President Trump has condemned South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which permits the seizure of private property without compensation, a law perceived to specifically target white farmers. This contentious issue has led to violence against farmers, igniting accusations of genocide, particularly after the 2020 murder of Brendin Horner, which resulted in acquittal due to insufficient evidence.
In summary, Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., has been ordered to leave the country following his controversial remarks regarding President Trump. This incident highlights escalating tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, particularly in terms of diplomatic relations and differing stances on global issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. Furthermore, Trump’s criticisms of South Africa’s policies add to the complexity of their diplomatic ties.
Original Source: www.washingtonexaminer.com
