Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, was expelled due to links with terrorism, as reported by the Middle East Forum (MEF). Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared him persona non grata following Rasool’s extremist activities, which included connections with Hamas and Hezbollah. The decision reflects broader concerns over diplomatic safety and integrity in U.S. relations.
On March 14, 2025, Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, was officially declared persona non grata and expelled from Washington by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This decision followed a report and advocacy by the Middle East Forum (MEF), which highlighted Rasool’s associations with terrorism and his history of extremist remarks.
Prior to the expulsion, Rasool had been effectively sidelined in Washington, struggling to arrange meetings with State Department officials and prominent Republicans since President Trump took office in January. Reports from Semafor indicated this isolation caused “frustrations in Pretoria,” reflecting tensions stemming from his controversial standing.
Sam Westrop, the director of MEF’s Islamist Watch, had previously documented Rasool’s extremist relationships, including his meetings with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials, along with his support for Iran’s regime and Hezbollah. Rasool maintains connections with American Islamist organizations, notably the SAAR network, which has been scrutinized by federal authorities for links to international terrorism.
Rasool’s diplomatic credentials were accepted by President Biden in the terminal days of his administration, though without significant public attention. Before his role in Washington, Rasool lobbied at the International Court of Justice, alleging Israel’s attempts to “commit genocide” in Gaza.
MEF alerted officials and congressional representatives to Rasool’s extremism, including his critical social media comments regarding President Trump. Reports reveal that a document from MEF circulating within Republican foreign policy circles contributed to Capitol Hill staffers actively avoiding the ambassador.
Westrop stated, “Ambassador Rasool’s extremism and close involvement with entities and regimes violently hostile to the United States afford perfectly reasonable grounds for the Trump administration to send him home. The South African ANC government knew this…and would have been wise to have preempted such a move by replacing Rasool themselves.”
Benjamin Baird, director of MEF Action, emphasized, “The United States is not a playground for diplomats who cozy up to foreign adversaries and fraternize with terrorist leaders,” commending the presidential decision to terminate Rasool’s diplomatic duties.
In summary, Ebrahim Rasool’s expulsion from Washington marks a significant response to his documented extremist connections and hostile affiliations. The Middle East Forum’s advocacy played a crucial role in this outcome, highlighting concerns regarding diplomatic integrity and national security. The U.S. government’s stance reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding American interests against potential threats posed by foreign representatives.
Original Source: www.meforum.org
