After the first non-racial elections in 1994, South Africa established diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine on February 15, 1995.[1] Former South African President Nelson Mandela had visited both Israel and Palestine and called for peace between both sides.[2] Nevertheless, some prominent South African figures, such as Desmond Tutu and Ronnie Kasrils[3][4] have criticized Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, drawing parallels between apartheid South Africa and modern-day Israel.[5] The Congress of South African Trade Unions, which represents 1.2 million South African workers, has also accused Israel of practicing apartheid and supported the boycott of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, as well as the boycott of all Israeli products.[6]