South Africa coal exports to Israel soar amid Columbia ban

South Africa is boosting coal exports to Israel following a decision by Colombia to ban shipments of the fuel to the country, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing data from commodity-tracking companies.

South Africa’s coal exports to Israel rose by 87 percent in the three months to November on an annual basis, Reuters reported.

The shipments filled a gap left by a drop in Colombian coal exports, which plunged to zero by the end of November.

According to official data from the South African Revenue Service, coal exports to Israel are set to reach the highest level since February 2017. 

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced a halt to the country's coal exports to Israel in June 2024.

At the time, Petro said coal shipments would be suspended until Israel obeyed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to halt its assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.

Columbia was still sending coal to Israel in 2025, according to the data viewed by Reuters, and would account for about 42 percent of Israel's two million tonnes of coal imports this year. However, in late summer, Petro doubled down on the ban and blocked long-term supply agreements from being filled.

South Africa cancels Palestinian visa waiver, citing Israeli ‘emigration’ efforts

Read More »

Israel’s war on Gaza erupted on 7 October 2023, following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.

The ferocious Israeli response has killed nearly 71,000 people so far. The US, Egypt and Qatar brokered a ceasefire in October, but Israeli violations have killed at least 393 additional Palestinians. The war has been recognised as a genocide by the United Nations, world leaders and human rights organisations.

South Africa was one of the first countries to label Israel’s war on Gaza a genocide in December 2023. It took its case before the ICJ.

Almost two years later, the ICJ is still hearing the case, with no judgment likely any time soon, Middle East Eye has reported.

South Africa’s condemnation of Israel has not stopped miners in the country from boosting exports.

South Africa's share of Israel's seaborne coal market is set to more than triple from 2024 levels to 55 percent, Kpler data showed.

South Africa is not the only country sending energy supplies to Israel, even as it condemns it.

Twenty-five countries supplied Israel with crude oil and refined petroleum throughout its genocide in Gaza, a report by Oil Change International found in November.

Azerbaijan has been a top supplier of oil to Israel, with crude being funnelled from the Caucasus country to Turkey via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

Turkey has continued to allow the flow of oil even as it condemns Israel.