SA recalls diplomats from Tel Aviv amid Hamas war

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed the diplomatic move during the post-cabinet media briefing on Monday.

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.

Ntshavheni says the South African government decided to withdraw all its ambassadors from Israel for consultations.

"Cabinet is disappointed by the refusal of the Israeli government to respect International law and the United Nations resolutions with impunity. The humanitarian corridors remain closed due to the continued attacks of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government, which is increasing the death toll to more than 9500.

“As previously indicated, genocide under the watch of the international community cannot be tolerated. Another holocaust in the history of humankind is unacceptable.

“The South African government has decided to withdraw all its ambassadors in Tel Aviv for consultations," she said.

Ntshavheni says the government was also concerned about Eliav Belotserkovsky's behaviour and has since instructed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to take action.

"Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government.

This is despite the condemnation by the previous ambassadors of Israel to South Africa, who were clear that the act of the Israeli government was a repeat of the apartheid and no different to the apartheid act.

“The position of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa is becoming very unattainable; the cabinet has decided to instruct DIRCO to take necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with the conduct of the  Israeli Ambassador to South Africa," says Ntshavheni.

 Ntshavheni emphasised that this was a serious signal from the South African government.

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