South Africa’s coal exports to Israel have surged by 87% year-on-year, with 474,000 metric tonnes exported in the three months to November 2025, valued at around $28 million per month. This increase has sparked outrage among human rights activists and politicians, who argue that the country’s trade with Israel is complicit in the suffering of Palestinians.
As an EFF MP, I recently challenged Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, on South Africa’s complicity in the suffering of Palestinians, demanding an end to coal exports that fuel genocide. The Minister’s response was disappointing, to say the least, as he claimed that terminating coal exports would violate the World Trade Organisation’s principle of non-discrimination.
Coal Exports and the WTO
The Minister’s argument is based on the idea that South Africa, as a member of the WTO, is bound by the organisation’s rules and regulations. However, this argument is flawed, as it ignores the fact that South Africa is a sovereign nation with the power to make its own decisions about trade and foreign policy. As the World Trade Organisation itself notes, member states have the right to take measures to protect human rights and prevent genocide.
The Economic Freedom Fighters have long warned that the WTO’s rules and regulations can be used to justify complicity in human rights abuses. In this case, the Minister’s reliance on the WTO’s principle of non-discrimination is a clear example of this. By prioritising trade with Israel over human rights, the South African government is sending a clear message that it values economic interests over human life.
What Can Be Done?
So what can be done to address this issue? Firstly, the South African government must take immediate action to ban coal exports to Israel. This would be a crucial step in ending the country’s complicity in the suffering of Palestinians. Secondly, the government must review its trade agreements with Israel and consider terminating them altogether. Finally, the government must take a stronger stance on human rights and genocide, and work to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
Some of the key steps that can be taken include:
- Imposing an immediate ban on coal exports to Israel
- Reviewing trade agreements with Israel and considering termination
- Working to hold Israel accountable for human rights abuses and genocide
- Providing support to Palestinian victims of genocide and human rights abuses
By taking these steps, South Africa can begin to address its complicity in the suffering of Palestinians and work towards a more just and equitable foreign policy.
