Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024

“The South African government has decided to withdraw all of its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Monday in a news conference to announce the outcome of a cabinet meeting held November 1.

“Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and the genocide of the Israeli government,” Ntshavheni said in the briefing, adding that the ambassador’s role “is becoming very untenable.”

“A genocide under the watch of the international community cannot be tolerated,” Ntshavheni said.

Israel’s ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, has been a regular presence in South African media, including the public broadcaster, in recent weeks.

In March, South Africa’s parliament passed a resolution to downgrade its ties with Israel.

The South African government has been strongly worded in its condemnation of Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

In a media statement on November 4, its foreign ministry said “it is a war crime for Israel to directly target Palestinian civilians in hospitals, ambulances, schools, apartment buildings, and in their private cars.” The ministry reiterated South Africa’s call for an “immediate ceasefire.”

Meanwhile, Chad recalled the country’s chargé d’affaires to Israel on November 4 in reaction to the conflict in Gaza, according to a statement from the government spokesperson posted on Facebook by the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Libya is second largest humanitarian aid donor to Gaza

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