South African Jews welcomed ANC's clarification on 'dual citizenship' plans

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has denied that it plans to change dual citizenship policy in order to prevent South African Jews who are Israeli citizens from joining the Israeli army.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said that despite the views expressed by individual ANC members, there were no plans by the government to change citizenship laws. 

An ANC spokesperson declared: "The ANC has noted a concern from many South African nationals including those of Jewish heritage on the supposed intention to penalize nationals holding dual citizenship.

"We want to clarify that the ANC and its government have not taken any decision on such a matter, nor is it intending to introduce such a policy. The status-quo remains in terms of home affairs regulations on dual citizenship."

Earlier this week, Obed Bapela, a deputy minister and in charge of the ANC's committee on international relations, suggested canceling the country’s dual citizenship policy in a bid to prevent South African Jews from making aliya and serving in the Israel Defense Forces. 

"Bapela called for the notion of dual citizenship to be revised‚ simply to prevent the Jewish community‚ who make up 0.1% of the South African population‚ from identifying with Israel‚” a spokeswoman of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) said in reaction.

Wendy Kahn, the managing director of the South African Board of Deputies, on Friday welcomed the clarification by the ANC and the minister. "We are very encouraged by these unequivocal statements by the ANC and the minister of home affairs. We will still meet with the leadership of the ANC after Rosh Hashana to discuss specific remarks about South African Jewry that were made by Deputy Minister Obed Bapela."