Africa4Palestine 'celebrates' recall of Israel ambassador from SA
Lobby group Africa4Palestine says the recall of Israeli ambassador from Pretoria is a cause for celebration.
The organisation was reacting to the statement shared by Israel's foreign ministry on Monday evening, announcing the recall of Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, for consultation.
The debate over South Africa’s diplomatic ties with Israel follows the widespread condemnation of its bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Gazans and a devastating humanitarian crisis with food, water, fuel and medical supply shortages.
Some pro-Palestine civic organisations and political parties have called for the expulsion of the ambassador.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has since demarched Belotsercovsky.
The South African government has also withdrawn its diplomats from Tel Aviv “for further consultation.”
Israel has been at war in Gaza since the attacks of October 7 when Hamas militants stormed across the border, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 240, Israeli officials say.
The decision also comes ahead of the vote by Parliament on Tuesday afternoon to expel the Israeli ambassador and shut down the Israeli Embassy.
It is also a day before South Africa is due to host a virtual BRICS summit on the war in Gaza.
Africa4Palestine Director, Muhammed Desai, says the decision to recall the ambassador marks a crucial step in holding Israel accountable.
"In the dying days of Apartheid in South Africa, the regime isolated itself.
"Similarly, Israel today is being isolated and is self-isolating from the peace and justice-loving peoples of the world.
"This marks a crucial step towards holding Apartheid Israel accountable for its violations of international law.
"People and countries across the globe are making it clear: no normal relations with an abnormal state.
"Africa4Palestine salutes the hundreds of thousands of South Africans who have taken to the streets, to social media and other platforms in recent weeks supporting our government as well as calling for further and firmer action to be taken against Israel for its recent attacks on the Palestinians people as well as for its ongoing Apartheid policies and practices, "says Desai.
He added: "We again reiterate the African peoples support for the Palestinian people who have been resisting Israel’s apartheid regime, who have been withstanding Israel’s attempts to erase them and who are teaching the world the meaning of resilience and hope."
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