The Cabinet is about to discuss a series of proposals to severely curtail economic and cultural ties between Israel and South Africa, Yediot Achronot reported Monday.
The newspaper said the South African government has been informed of the proposals through diplomatic channels and has also been advised that Israel intends soon to discuss the issue of sanctions.
Pretoria has responded by warning Israeli diplomats that approval of the proposed measures could increase anti-Semitic attitudes and actions on the part of the nationalist-conservative wing of the white population against South Africa’s Jewish community of about 120,000, Yediot Achronot said.
According to the report, the Cabinet may convene in special session Friday or next week to consider recommendations prepared by an interdepartmental team of senior officials. Proposals include a cut-off or drastic limitation of trade tourism, cultural and sports ties. The proposals apparently are supported by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Yediot Achronot said.
The report said South African sources claimed that Israel would suffer more than South Africa if sanctions were applied and warned that South Africa would take retributive measures against Israel.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
