The South African government announced on Monday its decision to recall all its diplomats from Israel as a symbolic gesture of concern over the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a Minister in the President’s office, made the announcement during a press briefing, indicating that all diplomats in Tel Aviv would be summoned back to Pretoria for consultations, though specific details were not provided.
Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor expressed the government’s deep concern, saying, “We are… extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories, and we believe the nature of Israel’s response has turned into a form of collective punishment.”
“We felt it important to signal South Africa’s concern while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation of hostilities,” she added.
The Gaza Strip has been the site of intense fighting for about a month since Hamas militants initiated an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in a high number of casualties, including many civilians.
According to AFP, South Africa has a longstanding history of supporting the Palestinian cause, often connecting it with its own struggle against apartheid.
Minister Pandor emphasized that the recall of diplomats is a “normal practice,” and the envoys will provide a full briefing on the situation to the government, which will then determine the future of its relationship with Israel based on the information provided.
