Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S., has been expelled due to links to terrorism after a Middle East Forum report. Secretary Rubio stated Rasool’s extremism warranted the decision, reflecting growing concerns over diplomats’ ties to hostile entities. This action follows a pattern of Rasool being shut out of key meetings since Trump’s presidency.
Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, has been declared persona non grata by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and expelled from Washington due to his alleged connections to terrorism. This decision follows a report by the Middle East Forum (MEF) highlighting Rasool’s extremist links and controversial statements.
Rasool has faced decreased engagement with U.S. officials, including a lack of meetings with key Republican leaders since President Trump took office. His restricted access reportedly caused frustration among South African officials, as noted by the news outlet Semafor.
MEF Islamist Watch director Sam Westrop previously documented Rasool’s associations with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with his support for Iran and Hezbollah. Additionally, Rasool is linked to American Islamist organizations, particularly the SAAR network, which has been investigated for potential ties to international terrorism.
Despite the controversy, President Biden accepted Rasool’s diplomatic credentials quietly, prior to the conclusion of his term. Rasool has also advocated for claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
MEF alerted U.S. officials and Congress about Rasool’s extremist behavior, prompting a backlash that led to Capitol Hill staffers avoiding the ambassador. Westrop commented that Rasool’s connections to hostile entities justified his expulsion and suggested that the South African government should have replaced him.
MEF Action director Benjamin Baird expressed support for the decision, emphasizing that the U.S. should not harbor diplomats who associate with adversaries and terrorist leaders. MEF is committed to promoting American interests in the Middle East and safeguarding Western civilization from Islamist threats.
The expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool underscores significant concerns regarding diplomatic ties and the scrutiny of foreign representatives linked to extremist groups. The Middle East Forum’s investigation highlighted Rasool’s problematic affiliations and history of controversial statements, prompting U.S. officials to act against his representation in Washington. This case emphasizes the critical need to evaluate diplomatic credentials diligently in order to maintain national security.
Original Source: www.meforum.org
