Israel denies South African minister visa to visit Palestine

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South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande has been denied a visa by Israel to travel to Palestine.

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South Africa

Nzimande had planned to travel to Palestine to promote collaboration in research between the University of Johannesburg and institutions in Palestine.
The reason given by Israel for refusal to grant Nzimande an entry visa is that he “had criticized the Israeli government.”
According to local media, Nzimande is a vocal critic of Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians and has called for South Africa to boycott Israeli imports.
Nzmande’s spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana told local AM Live radio that the minister “is disturbed and angry by the refusal.”
Nkwanyana said the denial has created a serious diplomatic problem because it means South African cabinet ministers cannot travel to Palestine and do government work.
The minister was invited by his Palestinian counterpart Minister of Higher Education Khawla Shaksheer to visit Palestine from April 25-29, 2015.
The visit would be a follow-up on a state visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in November 2014 during which an agreement on higher education and training between the countries was signed. Enditem

Source; Xinhua

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