South Africa’s parliament has voted to approve a motion to close the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspend diplomatic ties with the country as tensions between the two countries escalate over Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Tuesday’s motion, which calls for the closure of the embassy and the suspension of all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, was approved by an overwhelming majority of 248 votes against 91.
The bill was proposed by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters, which has the support of the ruling African National Congress, and opposition from the conservative, mostly white, pro-Israel Democratic Alliance.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority says more than 14,100 people have been killed in airstrikes.
Israel reached the lowest level since the 7th of October. The latest war in Gaza began when the Palestinian armed group Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, resulting in nearly 1,200 casualities.
