Israel has recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, back to Jerusalem “for consultations” ahead of a parliamentary vote in the African country to decide the fate of the Israeli embassy on Tuesday.
Quick Read
- Israel Recalls Ambassador to South Africa:
- Israel has recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, back to Jerusalem for consultations.
- This decision comes ahead of a parliamentary vote in South Africa regarding the status of the Israeli embassy.
- South Africa’s Stance on Gaza Conflict:
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused Israel of committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where Israeli strikes have killed thousands.
- South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry posted on social media about recalling the ambassador.
- Parliament Vote on Israeli Embassy in South Africa:
- South Africa’s parliament will vote on a motion to shut down the Israeli embassy and sever ties with Israel until a Gaza cease-fire is implemented.
- The motion is supported by the ruling African National Congress and other parties.
- South Africa Refers Israel to International Criminal Court:
- The South African government has referred to Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and has brought the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- South Africa’s government expects the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Diplomatic Actions by South Africa:
- Earlier this month, South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel and withdrew all diplomatic staff from the country in response to the ongoing conflict.
- BRICS Meeting on Israel-Hamas War:
- A virtual meeting of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) will discuss the Israel-Hamas war.
- The meeting will include leaders from BRICS nations and other countries set to join the bloc.
- Background on the Israel-Hamas Conflict:
- The conflict erupted after Hamas’s attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people.
- Israel’s subsequent strikes on Gaza have resulted in over 12,700 deaths.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israel recalls ambassador ahead of S. African MP vote to shut down Israeli embassy
Newslooks- JOHANNESBURG (AP)
Israel has recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, back to Jerusalem “for consultations” ahead of a parliamentary vote in the African country to decide the fate of the Israeli embassy on Tuesday.
The two countries’ diplomatic relations have recently witnessed a rise in tensions over the Israeli war on Gaza. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa previously said his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed.
“Following the latest South African statements, the Ambassador of Israel to Pretoria has been recalled to Jerusalem for consultations,” Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs posted late Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This came ahead of a vote in South Africa’s parliament on a motion to shut down the Israeli embassy and cut all ties with Israel until a cease-fire is implemented in Gaza.
The motion tabled by the leftist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters has the backing of the ruling African National Congress and other smaller parties.
South Africa announced last week that it had referred what it called Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza to the International Criminal Court for an investigation, with its cabinet calling on the ICC Monday to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Given that much of the global community is witnessing the commission of these crimes in real time, including statements of genocidal intent by many Israeli leaders, we expect that warrants of arrest for these leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should be issued shortly,” South African minister in the presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told reporters Monday.
Earlier this month, South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel and withdrew all its diplomatic staff from the country.
The conflict will also be the subject of a virtual meeting of BRICS countries on Tuesday, which will be attended by leaders of the bloc, including Ramaphosa, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The economic bloc was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009 and added South Africa in 2010. Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to enter BRICS.
The Israel-Hamas war erupted after the Palestinian militant group’s surprise attacks on Israel on Oct.7 killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza have so far killed more than 12,700 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
