Cape Town – South African authorities are warning citizens that if they illegally participate in fighting in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, they will be prosecuted.
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The warning comes after it was found that groups of locals are believed to have joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), disobeying the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act reports IOL News, a South African news agency (http://bit.ly/1pAW2u6).
The act regulates South African involvement in armed conflicts outside of South Africa, and anyone found guilty could face jail time. Only the defense minister can grant permission to serve in conflicts outside of South Africa.
The Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act also forbids South African residents from offering medical or security services in conflict regions without authorization.
Pro-Palestinian advocacy group Action Forum in Support of Palestine opened a case this week against Dean Goodson, a Cape Town resident who they say is serving in the IDF.
Shaheed Mahomed, a member of Action Forum, said the group plans to open cases against four others believed to be serving in the IDF illegally.
The Defense Department stated it has not granted permission of involvement in the Middle East conflict to anyone, but that it is aware of the fact that some may be taking part illegally.
South Africans are alleged to be participating in Afghanistan and West African conflicts as well.
In 2008, advocacy groups Media Review Network (MRN) and Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) assembled the “Gaza Docket,” which called for the prosecution of 73 South Africans alleged to have been serving in the IDF. Prosecution never moved forward due to a lack of evidence.
What a sensible law. So no one can volunteer in an Israeli hospital. Or in a Gazan one for that matter, either. Or in plenty of other hospitals around the world. Bunch of morons.
They are confused which is the terrorist organization. Al Jezeera had a 10 minute segment on their news yesterday about HOW the UN would go about charging Israel with war crimes. Nothing about Hamas of course.