Cape Town – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, says the government has not yet made a decision regarding the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador to South Africa.
The South African government said on Monday it would recall all its diplomats from Israel to “signal” its concern over the situation in Gaza.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, told a press briefing that all diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv would be asked back to Pretoria for consultations, without providing further details.
“We are… extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment,” Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor told a later press conference.
“We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation (of hostilities)”.
According to EWN, the EFF plans to table a motion to expel Israel’s ambassador, Eliav Belotserkovsky.
However, Pandor clarified that there’s no decision on expulsion yet,.
“As to expulsion, there is no decision with respect to that at this moment. Should such a decision be made, we would come into the public space and make the necessary announcement,” Pandor said while answering questions in the National Assembly.
Opposition parties are divided on the issue, with some advocating for a continued presence in Israel during these challenging times.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
