Mpho Phalatse, a health MMC for Johannesburg, has been suspended by Mayor Herman Mashaba after attending a Friends of Israel gathering over the weekend.

During a council session on Tuesday, Mashaba confirmed the Phalatse would be placed on leave for her views. As News24 reports, he stated that she hadn’t respected the gravity of the current situation in the Middle East:

“The issue of the conflict in Israel is complex and requires a sensitive approach. The MMC’s remarks didn’t adequately address the complexity and sensitivity of the issue. They caused confusion.”

South African and Israeli tensions

Tensions have been escalating between South Africa and Israel over the last month. Donald Trump’s hasty decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem sparked outrage, with protesting Palestinian groups staging demonstrations against it.

Israeli soldiers then opened fire on the protesters, where at least 60 citizens of Palestine were gunned down. This incident received worldwide condemnation and South Africa decided to withdraw their ambassador to the country.

The history of Israel and subsequent treatment of Palestine has prompted some to compare the state to that of apartheid SA, hence the sensitivity around this issue.

What did Mpho Phalatse say about Israel?

She tweeted her support for the country after visiting the Friends of Israel event. Speakers included the Israeli ambassador to South Africa Lior Keinan, and celebrated the religious and Christian history of the state.

Overall a very informative event with Christians out in their numbers in defense of Israel – the original home of the Christian faith.#SAFI18 pic.twitter.com/HvLfvdCy6V — Mpho (@mphophalatse1) June 10, 2018

However, Herman Mashaba was in no mood for celebrations. It seems that her declaration of Johannesburg being “a friend of Israel” was the main issue for the mayor. Phalatse’s suspension is indefinite.

On Monday, the EFF in Joburg demanded Phalatse was removed from office, labelling her comments as “reckless”.