As South Africa vows to arrest dual citizens who serve in the Israeli military, will other countries follow?
South Africa’s threat to arrest its own citizens who serve in the Israel Defense Forces is raising legal, moral and strategic questions for a military that relies heavily on foreign-born troops to fill its ranks.
South Africa’s threat to arrest its own citizens who serve in the Israel Defense Forces is raising legal, moral and strategic questions for a military that relies heavily on foreign-born troops to fill its ranks.
What effect will the decision have on IDF readiness amid the Israel-Hamas war? Could South Africa’s move create a chilling effect that would dissuade people from taking the risk of serving? And what about dual nationals, who have no choice under Israeli law but to complete mandatory military service?
Although no other nations have said they’ll follow South Africa’s lead and prosecute their own citizens, campaigns are underway to push several other governments to do the same — most notably in France. Proponents cite allegations of war crimes leveled against Israel by the U.N. and others.
The growing questions about legal consequences for IDF troops who hold other citizenship were kicked up this week by South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, whose government has accused Israel of genocide in the International Court of Justice. In a speech at a summit on Palestinian solidarity, Pandor said she was putting South Africans who fight in the IDF on notice.
“We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you,” Pandor said as vigorous applause rang out.
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