Cape Town – A new bill introduced in the US Congress by Republican Representative Greg Steube seeks to cut direct aid to South Africa and impose targeted sanctions on its leaders.
The proposed Addressing Hostile and Antisemitic Conduct by the Republic of South Africa Act of 2025 is a response to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), its diplomatic ties with Hamas and Iran, and its critical stance on Israel.
The bill, introduced to the US House of Representatives on 17 June, accuses the South African government of antisemitism and misusing international legal platforms to attack Israel.
It reads in part:
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Government of the Republic of South Africa has, in recent years, engaged in repeated diplomatic and legal actions targeting the State of Israel and Jewish communities under the guise of international law.
(2) These actions include the misuse of international legal institutions to advance politically motivated and antisemitic narratives inconsistent with objective human rights norms.
(3) The Government of South Africa has increasingly aligned itself with authoritarian regimes and global actors hostile to United States national interests and democratic values.
(4) United States taxpayer dollars must not be used to subsidize governments that engage in or legitimize such conduct.
The bill proposes suspending US aid (excluding humanitarian assistance) unless South Africa ends support for legal actions against Israel, implements anti-corruption reforms, and improves ties with the US.
(a) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds may be obligated or expended to provide direct assistance to the Government of South Africa unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that such Government—
(1) has ceased all formal support for international legal actions that unfairly target the State of Israel or Jewish individuals based solely on religious or ethnic identity;
(2) has implemented meaningful reforms to address corruption within state institutions; and
(3) has engaged constructively with United States diplomats regarding the normalization of international legal standards and the protection of religious minorities.
The bill also calls for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act on officials promoting such policies.
The President shall impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against any current or former official of the Government of South Africa who—
(1) promotes or implements antisemitic policies or rhetoric in an official capacity;
(2) uses public office to unjustly target the State of Israel or Jewish individuals through international courts or diplomatic platforms; or
(3) engages in gross corruption, including the misuse of foreign aid or public funds.
According to IOL, Analysts note that while the bill may struggle to pass due to divisions within the Republican Party, its symbolic and diplomatic implications are serious.
South Africa received around $6 billion in US investment from 2012 to 2021, and this bill could strain relations further.
Critics argue the bill conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism and may violate US constitutional free speech protections.
The South African government has not formally responded, but officials reaffirm the country’s commitment to a non-aligned, justice-driven foreign policy rooted in international law.
DIRCO is monitoring developments through diplomatic channels, and lobbying efforts may focus on swaying moderate US lawmakers.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
