فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Ebrahim Rasool, the South African ambassador who was expelled from the United States and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration, returned home on Sunday to a hero’s welcome. Hundreds of supporters gathered at Cape Town International Airport, singing songs in his honor and requiring a police escort to help him navigate through the crowd.
Rasool addressed the enthusiastic crowd using a megaphone, stating that a persona non grata designation is intended to humiliate, but he would wear it as a badge of honor. He emphasized that returning home was not their choice, but they did so without regrets.
The expulsion followed tensions between South Africa and the U.S., particularly after Rasool accused President Donald Trump of promoting a supremacist agenda during a webinar. Trump’s administration had previously halted financial aid to South Africa, citing concerns over its support for Hamas and Iran, as well as domestic policies perceived as anti-white.
Rasool stood by his comments and emphasized the need for South Africa to mend its ties with the U.S., while maintaining its stance on international issues, including its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He noted that South Africa’s presence in the ICJ is crucial for exposing Israel’s actions and providing hope for Palestinians.
Upon his return, Rasool reiterated that South Africa is not anti-American but seeks to rebuild and reset its relationship with the U.S. on equitable terms.
