Israel recalls ambassador from SA 'for consultation'

"Following the latest South African statements, the Ambassador of Israel to Pretoria has been recalled to Jerusalem for consultations," said ministry spokesman Lior Haiat on X (formerly Twitter).

The decision comes weeks after the South African government also decided to withdraw all its diplomats from Tel Aviv amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

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.

Israel has relentlessly bombarded the Gaza Strip and sent in ground troops, with the health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory saying 9,770 people have been killed, around two-thirds of them women and children.

The South African government has expressed solidarity and support for the people of Palestine while also condemning the killing of civilians on both sides.

Some pro-Palestine groups have held pickets outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, calling for the removal of the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky.

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.

Meanwhile, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies' National Chairperson, Karen Milner, says he hopes the recall is temporary.

"It is a great pity that the situation in SA has deteriorated to the degree that Israel decided to recall the ambassador to Jerusalem for consultation.  We trust that this recall, as well as the recall of the SA embassy staff in Israel, will be temporary and that the two countries will resume dialogue and engagement soon." 

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