Sarasota Review

U.S. Representative Greg Steube has introduced a new bill titled the Addressing Hostile and Antisemitic Conduct by the Republic of South Africa Act of 2025. The proposed legislation aims to suspend direct assistance to South Africa and impose targeted sanctions on its political leaders. These measures are in response to what Steube describes as South Africa's antagonism towards the United States and its allies, lawfare against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and alignment with Iranian economic and military interests.

“It is clear as day that the Government of South Africa is unfairly targeting the State of Israel and inciting hostility towards the United States and our allies,” said Rep. Steube. “South Africa’s purported grievances against Israel are nothing more than antisemitism wrapped in a bad-faith interpretation of international law. America has no business engaging with a corrupt government that weaponizes its political system against the Jewish people while jeopardizing our national security interests by indulging terrorist organizations and their sponsors. That is why I have proposed cutting off all direct assistance to South Africa and sanctioning their leaders until they stop abusing international institutions and catering to Iran and its terrorist proxies.”

The background provided highlights several instances where South Africa has aligned itself with entities opposed to U.S. interests, including Iran and Hamas. Notably, after the October 7th attacks, South Africa's foreign minister expressed support for Hamas in a phone call with representatives from the organization. Additionally, two months later, Hamas sent a senior delegation to South Africa for an event called the Fifth Global Convention of Solidarity with Palestine.

In 2023, Iran and South Africa signed a cooperation agreement expanding economic ties between their nations, which includes developing five oil refineries in South Africa by the Iranian Oil Ministry.

The Government of South Africa has also been accused of using lawfare tactics by accusing Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice while ignoring alleged atrocities committed by Hamas and Iran against Israel and the United States.

The bill seeks to codify provisions from President Trump's Executive Order No. 14204 (2025), which addresses actions taken by the Republic of South Africa.