South Africa recalls all ambassadors, diplomats from Israel
South Africa’s government has recalled all their Diplomats and Ambassadors on missions to Tel Aviv, Israel, BBC Africa reports have revealed.
The reports state that this move is due to Israel’s intense air strikes on Gaza on November 5, which were said to be one of the heaviest since the war began a month ago.
“We are extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment,” Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor is reported by BBC to have told the press in a conference.
“We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation (of hostilities),” she added.
Reuters quoted the Israeli foreign minister to have said “the South African government’s decision to recall its diplomatic staff is a victory for Hamas terrorist organization and rewards it for the massacre it carried out on October 7.”
On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel killing over 1,400 people and taking some hostage. In retaliation, Israel has vowed to destroy Gaza. Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza have said more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
