Israel has recalled its ambassador in South Africa “for consultations,” Isral’s foreign ministry said, yesterday.
It follows the “latest South African statements” on Israel, ministry spokesperson, Lior Haiat, said on X without giving specifics.
South Africa has been highly critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza. It, along with Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti, has submitted a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate whether war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Gaza.
South Africa had earlier recalled its diplomats from Israel. There has been no South African ambassador to Israel for five years.
In a renewed call on Monday, it urged the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, by mid-December.
Minister in the South Africa Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said failure to do so would signal a ‘total failure’ of global governance.
The recall of Israeli Ambassador, Eliav Belotserkovsky, comes just before South Africa is due to host a virtual summit of the Brics group of nations, which includes China and Russia, on the Israel-Hamas war.
The meeting to be chaired by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, hopes to draw up a common response to the conflict.
As at press time, South Africa’s parliament was set to vote on whether to close the Israeli embassy and suspend all diplomatic relations until Israel agrees to a cease-fire and commits to negotiations facilitated by the UN.
The governing African National Congress has agreed to the motion but whether the party or the government will support it in parliament remains to be seen.
South Africa, which has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, has been critical of the nature of Israel’s response which it has described as ‘collective punishment’.
Israel has said it is acting in self-defence and its aim is to eliminate Hamas and prevent another attack like the one last month happen again.