The South African Communist Party (SACP) has asked Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng to comply with the decision reached by the Judicial Conduct Committee and apologise for his comments made on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a statement the SACP says his apology would help restore public trust and respect for the judiciary.

Last year, the Chief Justice faced criticism after showing his full support for Israel during a webinar.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) also expressed concern at his utterances.

In a decision delivered by Judge Phineas Mojapelo on Thursday, the Judicial Service Commission’s Judicial Conduct Committee concluded that Mogoeng’s utterances were made in contravention of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which the Chief Justice is required to uphold as a judge, in terms of the Constitution.

Mogoeng’s judicial misconduct, according to the Judicial Conduct Committee, was committed with wilfulness or gross negligence. The Judicial Conduct Committee ordered him to issue an apology and retract his statements.

In addition, the Judicial Conduct Committee found that Mogoeng’s criticism of South Africa’s policy on the Israeli regime flew in the face of several United Nations resolutions on the matter and contradicted the position elaborated by the Secretary General of the United Nations in his statement issued on June 24, 2020.

The SACP further reiterated its call for an end to the occupation of Palestinian land by the “Zionist Israeli regime”, and expressed its support for a two-State solution based on the pre-1967 borders with a viable Palestinian State.