Doron Almog, a former Israeli military commander and current head of the Jewish Agency for Israel, has cancelled his planned visit to South Africa amid concerns that he could face arrest over his role in Israel’s war on Gaza.
According to Israeli broadcaster KAN, Almog was due to meet members of the Jewish community in South Africa but withdrew after legal and political risks were raised. The move comes against the backdrop of South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Tel Aviv of atrocities in Gaza.
Almog previously commanded the Israeli army’s Southern Command between 2000 and 2003. His record has drawn controversy before — in 2005, he narrowly avoided arrest in the United Kingdom over the demolition of dozens of Palestinian homes in Rafah, when he was forced to remain on his plane and return to Israel.
South Africa has been at the forefront of legal efforts to hold Israeli leaders accountable. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Human rights groups say Almog’s case highlights the growing legal pressure faced by Israeli officials abroad. Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 63,000 Palestinians, left much of the enclave in ruins, and pushed its population to the brink of famine.