Jewish community 'deeply disappointed' at withdrawal of ambassador from Israel

The decision follows deadly clashes in the Gaza border which left more than 59 Palestinians killed and 2,700 others wounded in one of the deadliest days in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The violence came on the same day as the inauguration of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. 

 "Given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African government has taken a decision to recall Ambassador Sisa Ngombane with immediate effect until further notice," the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said in a statement on Monday.

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 An enraged SA Zionist Federation's Zev Krengeld said the decision has left them disappointed and upset. 

"The government has never ever done this for any other country."

According to Krengeld, government only chooses their battles when it suits their diplomatic policy but chose in this instance to "walk away from playing any meaningful role in finding a sorely needed resolution to the conflict".

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, meanwhile, vowed that government will engage the local Jewish community.

"Only in working together can both of us solve the problem of the Palestinian people. We have worked together with the Jewish community, and they have been very supportive, most times, of what we have done," she said at a briefing on her department's budget vote on Tuesday morning.