South African activists have renewed calls for an immediate halt to coal exports to Israel, arguing that the trade supports its military operations in Gaza and contradicts South Africa’s stated position on the Palestinian cause.
Speaking on behalf of the South African Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Coalition’s Energy Embargo Campaign, activist and lawyer Sirhaan Che Khan said the campaign was focused on ending South African coal exports to Israel.
“We are currently trying to stop the ongoing exports of South African coal to Israel,” he said.
Che Khan argued that coal remains a significant part of Israel’s energy mix and is used to power its military operations.
“We know that coal directly fuels the ongoing genocide and illegal occupation,” he said.
He added that coal-generated electricity accounts for around a quarter of Israel’s total electricity capacity, providing the energy needed to sustain what he described as its “high-tech, energy-intensive, genocidal warfare against the Palestinian people”.
Che Khan also claimed that South Africa had become Israel’s largest supplier of imported coal following Colombia’s decision to suspend exports.
“South Africa currently provides Israel with around 88% of its coal imports,” he said.
He attributed the shift to Colombia’s 2025 decision to impose a coal embargo on Israel.
Referring to remarks by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Che Khan said the embargo was introduced after Petro declared: “Colombian coal is used to kill Palestinian children.”
According to Che Khan, the future of Colombia’s embargo is uncertain following a change in political leadership. He said there were concerns that the incoming administration could reverse the policy, potentially affecting South Africa’s position as a major supplier of coal to Israel.
“We do not know what impact this will have on South Africa’s current exports, but whether it is 10%, 50% or 80%, these exports must stop,” he said.
Che Khan concluded by calling for a complete end to energy exports to Israel.
“There must be no coal to fuel genocide, and there must be no energy resources provided either,” he said.
He ended his remarks with the slogan: “Free Palestine, from the river to the sea.”
