South Africa, Chad recall diplomats from Israel

South Africa’s government announced on Monday that it is recalling its ambassador and diplomatic mission from Israel as a response to the recent bombardment of the Gaza Strip. They have referred to these actions as a “genocide.”

Additionally, the South African government has indicated that they may take action against the Israeli ambassador to South Africa due to comments he made concerning South Africa’s position on the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, specific details about these remarks have not been provided.

The Israel-Hamas conflict erupted after the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in a significant loss of life. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

“The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation,” said minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

She added the cabinet noted the “disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government” and that the department of international relations has been instructed to “take the necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with (his) conduct.”

Ntshavheni also expressed that the position of the Israeli ambassador in South Africa is “untenable.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters have been staging demonstrations near the US Consulate in Johannesburg and Israeli embassies in Pretoria and Cape Town, urging the South African government to expel the Israeli ambassador.

International relations minister Naledi Pandor, who hosted her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Monday, stated that South African officials would be recalled from Tel Aviv to receive a detailed briefing on the situation in the region. She expressed deep concern about the ongoing loss of life in the Palestinian territory, particularly among children and innocent civilians, and criticised what she perceived as a response by Israel amounting to collective punishment.

Chad also recalled its charge d’affaires to Israel on November 4 in response to the situation in Gaza. The decision was made out of indignation over the ongoing conflict and was conveyed in a statement on the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Facebook page.

Chad’s government spokesperson emphasized their condemnation of civilian casualties and called for a ceasefire leading to a lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue.

The diplomatic actions taken by these African nations reflect their concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict and their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

Before these actions by African nations, Turkey had also recalled its ambassador to Israel, which drew criticism from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The ministry accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of aligning with Hamas, while defending Israel’s military operations in Gaza as a “war of self-defense” and describing Hamas as “the true enemy of the Palestinian people.”

With inputs from agencies