To “signal” its concern over the situation in Gaza, the South African government said on Monday that it will recall all of its ambassadors stationed in Israel.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, told a news conference that all diplomatic workers in Tel Aviv will be ordered to return to Pretoria for consultations but did not elaborate.
“We are… extremely concerned about the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories, and we believe Israel’s response has devolved into collective punishment,” Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said later at a news conference.
“We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation (of hostilities)”.
News About Nigeria reports that Since October 7, when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented offensive over the border from the territory into Israel, fighting has raged in the Gaza Strip for about a month.
Since then, more than 1,400 people have died in Israel, most of them civilians, while Hamas has taken over 240 hostages.
Israel responded by launching a ceaseless bombardment of Gaza and deploying ground forces. The health ministry in the Palestinian area controlled by Hamas reports that over 9,700 Palestinians have died in the conflict, most of them civilians.
The African National Congress (ANC), the dominant party in Pretoria, has long been a strong advocate of the Palestinian cause and frequently draws parallels between it and its fight against apartheid.
The recall of the diplomats, according to Pandor, is “usual procedure.” The envoys will provide the government with a “full briefing” on the situation, after which it will choose whether to provide help or if a “continued relationship can be sustained.”
