Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng's comments on the state of Israel during a webinar hosted by The Jerusalem Post, "undoubtedly embarrassed the government, and its international standing in respect of a key foreign policy position", Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac) said on Monday.

But now Casac wants Mogoeng to withdraw his remarks and apologise, saying his comments bring the judiciary in South Africa into disrepute.

"The recent comments by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng pertaining to the legitimacy of the state of Israel as it seeks to unlawfully annex further areas of Palestinian land brings the judiciary in South Africa into disrepute," Casac’s Lawson Naidoo said.

Mabe said: "It was rather unfortunate for the Chief Justice to state that the 'South African government policy was binding upon himself and that he was not seeking to reject it', but then clearly and openly opposes it as a citizen."

Human rights organisation Africa4Palestine said it was in the process of consulting with its legal advisors over Mogoeng's criticism of South Africa's foreign policy.