South African links with a group accused of assisting the Islamic terror group Hamas have been flagged by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), an American research institute that focuses on national security and foreign policy.

This could have serious implications for South African officials and the African National Congress (ANC).

Last week the United States (US) Treasury sanctioned the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a senior PCPA official, and a number of other non-profit organisations which are accused of supporting Hamas.

In an analysis published this week the FDD highlighted interactions between the PCPA and South African officials. According to the organisation, South Africa’s ambassador to Qatar, Ghulam Hoosein Asmal, met with a delegation from the PCPA in the Qatari capital, Doha, in January 2024 and received a formal letter of appreciation from the group regarding South Africa’s lawfare campaign against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The meeting contrasts with earlier public statements by South African officials that denied any relationship with Hamas.

In addition, the FDD said that on the same day as his meeting with the PCPA, Asmal met with a delegation of the families of Palestinian terrorists killed, wounded, or imprisoned by Israel for their offenses.

The FDD analysis also points to a May 2024 anti-Zionist conference held in South Africa that was attended by ANC members and included individuals alleged to have links to Hamas-aligned organisations, including from the PCPA. The FDD argues that these interactions undermine official claims of distance from Hamas and could carry diplomatic consequences as the US Treasury expands its use of sanctions to disrupt what it describes as global support networks for designated terrorist groups.

The FDD also flagged links between South Africa’s former foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, and Hamas, saying she discussed aid delivery to Gaza with Hamas leaders just ten days after the group’s 7 October attack on Israel.

The FDD said: “The United States should also warn South Africa about its diplomats being overly cozy with individuals linked to a US-designated terrorist group. The State Department should consider investigating the extent to which South Africa’s diplomatic corps may maintain ties to other Hamas-linked individuals and entities.”