Israel recalls envoy to South Africa for consultations

The Israeli government has recalled for consultations its ambassador to South Africa following the “latest statements from South Africa”, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The latest move is an indication of the rising tension between Israel and South Africa over the war in Gaza.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) party on Thursday said it would back a parliamentary motion calling for the Israeli embassy in South Africa to be shut down in response to the conflict in Gaza.

In Africa, South Africa has been the leading voice for a humanitarian ceasefire in the war in Gaza against Hamas which has led to the death of thousands of civilians.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says 13,300 people, including more than 5,000 children, have been killed in Israel’s campaign

South Africa has recalled its diplomats from Israel and recently urged the International Crime Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the year runs out.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said any failure to bring the Israeli Prime Minister to book would signal a “total failure” of global governance.

She added that “the world cannot simply stand by and watch.”

Despite claiming that it is minimizing civilian casualties in military offensives, the South African official said the Israeli government was trying to “clear most of Gaza of Palestinians and occupy it”.

South Africa has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, and the ruling ANC likened it to their struggle against apartheid, where a white minority ruled over a black majority.