Palestine–South Africa relations Palestine–South Africa relations South Africa-Palestine relations refer to the interstate relations between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Palestine. The African National Congress had close relations with Palestine Liberation Organization. Nelson Mandela had close relations with Yasser Arafat. After the first multiracial elections in 1994, South Africa established diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine on February 15, 1995. Former South African President Nelson Mandela had visited both Israel and Palestine and called for peace between both sides. Nevertheless, Some prominent South African figures, such as Desmond Tutu and Ronnie Kasrils have criticized Israel's treatment of the
South African cricket team in England in 1994 the team enjoyed overwhelming support back home, with Jonty Rhodes being identified as a new hero among young black cricketers in South Africa. South Africa's deputy president, Thabo Mbeki, flew to London for the First Test, and Dr Ali Bacher was feted at a Lord's Taverners dinner on the eve of the Test, where he gave a speech outlining the development plan for cricket in South Africa's townships. Despite all the media attention, Wessels was keen to keep the focus on cricket, rather than politics. "We're a more confident side now, though," he said the day before the First Test,