The South African government has taken the step of recalling its ambassador and diplomatic mission from Israel in strong condemnation of the bombardment of the Gaza Strip, referring to it as a “genocide.”
Furthermore, the government has issued a warning to the Israeli ambassador to South Africa concerning recent remarks made regarding the African country’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Unfortunately, no specific details regarding these remarks were provided.
The conflict erupted after the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,400 lives. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 10,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced, “The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation.” She went on to express that the cabinet had taken note of the “disparaging remarks” made by the Israeli ambassador about those opposing the actions of the Israeli government and that the Department of International Relations has been tasked with taking appropriate measures through diplomatic channels and protocols.
Ntshavheni also asserted that the position of the Israeli ambassador in the country is “untenable.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters, who have been organizing demonstrations outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg and Israeli embassies in Pretoria and Cape Town, have been urging the South African government to expel the Israeli ambassador.
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor, who hosted her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on Monday, explained that South African officials would be recalled from Tel Aviv to receive a detailed briefing about the situation in the region. She stated, “We need to engage with our officials because we are deeply concerned about the ongoing loss of innocent lives in the Palestinian territory. We believe that Israel’s response has taken on the nature of collective punishment.”
