South Africa pulls its diplomats from Israel, condemns bombardment of Gaza as a genocide
South African government has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza
South Africa’s government has recalled its diplomatic mission to Israel in condemnation of the bombardment of Gaza, calling it a “genocide.”
South African government, led by the ruling African National Congress party holds close ties to Palestine and has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed into the bombarded enclave.
“The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said in a statement on Monday.
She added the Cabinet noted the “disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government” and added that the Department of International Relations was instructed to “take the necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with (his) conduct.
Ntshavheni also said the position of the Israeli ambassador in the country was “untenable.”
So far at least eight countries including South Africa, Jordan, Turkey, Chile, Colombia, Chad, Honduras, and Bahrain have pulled their ambassadors from Israel since it launched a war against the militant group Hamas about a month ago, citing humanitarian concerns about the escalating military situation in the Gaza Strip.
