Why South Africa is Morally and Legally Obligated to Impose a Coal Embargo Against Israel
In a stark contradiction that challenges the very foundations of its post-apartheid identity, South Africa finds itself at the center of an international ethical dilemma. As one of the world’s largest coal producers, the nation continues to supply vital mineral resources to Israel—the same state that stands accused of perpetrating genocide and maintaining an apartheid-style system against Palestinians. This troubling supply chain raises urgent questions about moral consistency, international law, and South Africa’s responsibility as a global citizen.
The Uncomfortable Truth: South African Coal Powers Israeli Infrastructure
At the heart of this controversy lies a complex supply chain connecting Mpumalanga’s coal mines to Israeli power stations. The Anglo-Swiss mining giant Glencore operates extensive coal mining operations in South Africa, primarily in Mpumalanga Province. This coal is transported to Richards Bay Coal Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal, where it’s loaded onto ships destined for Israeli ports.
Since October 2023, records indicate at least 16 coal shipments have been delivered from Richards Bay to Israel. Once this South African coal reaches Israeli shores, it becomes part of the energy infrastructure that powers not only civilian facilities but also the operations that maintain Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
Glencore’s Controversial Role in the Supply Chain
Glencore’s involvement in this supply chain deserves particular scrutiny. The mining conglomerate has faced numerous allegations of corruption and human rights abuses across its global operations. In May 2022, Glencore International entered into a plea agreement with the United States government, pleading guilty to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The company’s track record in South America and Africa’s volatile regions, including the Congo, has sparked an international “Resist Glencore” movement. Indigenous communities near Glencore operations have repeatedly raised concerns about environmental damage and human rights violations, adding another layer of ethical complication to South Africa’s coal exports to Israel.
South Africa’s Stance on the World Stage
South Africa’s position seems contradictory when viewed against its international actions. The country has been a leading voice in condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, having brought genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, South Africa is a founding member of The Hague Group—the international coalition of states opposed to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
This makes the continued coal exports particularly puzzling. While South African coal exports to Israel represent only a small fraction of the country’s total coal exports, they constitute a significant portion of Israel’s coal imports. By May 2025, South African coal accounted for at least 39% of Israel’s total coal imports, making it a critical energy source for the Israeli economy.
The Colombian Precedent: A Moral Blueprint
Other nations have already taken decisive action that South Africa might emulate. Colombia, another major coal exporter to Israel, imposed a coal embargo against Israel in accordance with its obligations as a member of The Hague Group. These states have committed to preventing the transportation and distribution of any materials that might be used by Israel to continue its military operations in Gaza.
Colombia’s decision demonstrates that economic considerations can be balanced against moral imperatives when confronting crimes against humanity. The question now is whether South Africa will follow this precedent or continue supplying coal to a nation it has accused of genocide at the world’s highest court.
The Human Cost: How South African Coal Supports Occupation
The practical implications of these coal exports extend far beyond energy statistics. South African coal helps power illegal Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land. It provides energy to Israel’s military-industrial complex, enabling the manufacture of weapons used in Gaza. Essentially, South African mineral resources are helping sustain both an apartheid-style system and military operations that have been described as genocidal by numerous international organizations.
This reality creates a painful irony: the nation that defeated institutionalized apartheid now supplies resources to what many describe as a contemporary apartheid state. For South Africans who lived through and fought against apartheid, this situation represents a betrayal of their hard-won freedom and the principles it was built upon.
Growing Domestic Pressure for Change
South African civil society has begun mobilizing to address this contradiction. On August 21, 2025, coordinated protest actions occurred at Department of Trade, Industry and Competition offices in Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town. Demonstrators presented memorandums demanding the institution of a coal embargo against Israel.
These protests represented a remarkable cross-section of South African society—Palestinian solidarity activists, environmental groups, housing action organizations, creatives, and ordinary citizens united by a shared commitment to human rights. The diversity of this coalition suggests that the demand for a coal embargo transcends traditional political divisions.
The Economic Question: Weighing Principles Against Practicalities
Critics of an embargo inevitably raise concerns about job losses and economic impact, particularly in a country struggling with high unemployment. However, this argument faces a powerful counterpoint: South Africa’s largest trade union federation, Cosatu, has endorsed the campaign for a coal embargo.
Cosatu represents the working-class people employed along the entire coal supply chain—precisely those who would be most affected by any embargo. Their support suggests that for many South Africans, moral principles outweigh economic considerations when confronting crimes against humanity.
The International Dimension: Standing Against Pressure
Implementing a coal embargo would undoubtedly draw criticism from certain segments of the international community, particularly from nations that have supported Israel’s military campaign. The United States, which has continued military assistance to Israel throughout the conflict, would likely pressure South Africa to maintain the status quo.
However, as Colombia’s example shows, determined nations can resist such pressure when backed by strong domestic support and clear moral conviction. A coal embargo imposed with the full backing of the South African citizenry would be far more resilient to external pressure than one implemented as a purely governmental decision.
A Question of National Identity and Historical Responsibility
Ultimately, the debate over a coal embargo touches on fundamental questions about South Africa’s identity in the post-apartheid era. The nation’s traumatic history with institutionalized racism gives it unique moral authority to speak against similar systems elsewhere. This authority is undermined when South Africa simultaneously supplies resources to maintain such systems.
As a nation that knows both the brutality of apartheid and the joy of liberation, South Africa has a special responsibility to ensure its resources and policies align with its professed values. The continued coal exports to Israel create a cognitive dissonance that many South Africans find increasingly difficult to accept.
The Path Forward: Principles in Action
The movement for a coal embargo represents more than just a policy change—it embodies the possibility of aligning South Africa’s international trade with its ethical commitments. By imposing an embargo, South Africa would demonstrate that its stand against apartheid and genocide extends beyond rhetorical condemnation to concrete action.
Such a move would reinforce South Africa’s leadership role in the global movement for human rights and international justice. It would show that the country takes seriously its responsibilities as a member of The Hague Group and as a nation founded on the rejection of institutionalized oppression.
The decision ultimately rests at the intersection of moral imperative, economic interest, and political will. But for many South Africans, the choice is clear: the nation that defeated apartheid cannot in good conscience supply the resources that power its modern equivalent.
Full credit to the original publisher: Neptune Prime – https://neptuneprime.com.ng/why-sa-is-obligated-to-impose-a-coal-embargo-against-israel/