JOHANNESBURG: The South African government announced on Monday its decision to recall all diplomats from Israel, citing deep concern over the ongoing situation in Gaza and Israeli aggression against innocent Palestinians. The decision was made as a symbolic gesture to express South Africa’s solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, confirmed the recall during a press briefing, stating that the position of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotsercovsky, had become “more and more untenable.” Ntshavheni accused the diplomat of making “disparaging remarks” about South Africans, including government officials, who criticized Israel’s actions in the region.
Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor emphasized that recalling diplomats was a “normal practice,” and the envoys would provide a “full briefing” to the government. The government would then decide whether a continued relationship with Israel could be sustained based on the information provided.
South Africa Expresses Concern Over Killing of Innocent Palestinians
“We are extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories, and we believe the nature of Israel’s response has become one of collective punishment,” stated Minister Pandor during a press conference.
Pandor also expressed discontent with the behavior of certain ambassadors in South Africa, stating, “There seems to be a strange practice among some ambassadors in South Africa, that they can just say what they like… I do not know if it is because it is an African country and they disrespect us, but it is something that we should not tolerate.”
The decision to recall diplomats comes in the wake of recent pro-Palestine protests in South Africa, where President Cyril Ramaphosa and other ANC officials participated, displaying flags and keffiyeh scarves in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
