Current:Home > reviewsSouth Africa recalls ambassador and diplomatic mission to Israel and accuses it of genocide in Gaza -ProfitQuest Academy
South Africa recalls ambassador and diplomatic mission to Israel and accuses it of genocide in Gaza
View
Date:2025-04-15 03:48:17
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s government has recalled Monday its ambassador and diplomatic mission to Israel in condemnation of the bombardment of the Gaza Strip, calling it a “genocide.”
The government also threatened action against the Israeli ambassador to South Africa over his recent remarks on the African country’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war. No further details were given about the remarks.
The war broke out after the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct.7, leaving over 1,400 people dead. More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
“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 said the position of the Israeli ambassador in the country was “untenable.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters — who have been staging demonstrations by the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg and Israeli embassies in Pretoria and Cape Town — have called on the South African government to expel the Israeli ambassador.
International relations minister Naledi Pandor, who on Monday hosted her Ukraine counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, said the South African officials would be recalled from Tel Aviv to give the government a detailed briefing about the situation in the region.
“We need to have this engagement with our officials because we are extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territory and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment,” said Pandor.
Pandor said she had discussed the strengthening of bilateral ties with her Ukraine counterpart, including meetings held by at least seven African leaders who visited Moscow and Kyiv earlier this year to propose a peace plan.
“We are one of the few countries around the regions of the world that are able to speak to both Ukraine, as well as Russia.”
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli foreign ministry.
The South African government, led by the ruling African National Congress party which has close ties to Palestine, has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed into the bombarded enclave.
South Africa is among other countries to recall their ambassadors to Israel to protest the military operations in Gaza, including Chile, Colombia Honduras. Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with the country.
Israel criticized the Latin American countries last week and called on Colombia and Chile to “explicitly condemn the Hamas terrorist organization.”
veryGood! (356)
Related
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- U.S. strikes Iranian-backed militias in eastern Syria to retaliate for attacks on U.S. troops
- Leo Brooks, a Miami native with country roots, returns to South Florida for new music festival
- 'Golden Bachelor' Episode 5 recap: Gerry Turner, reluctant heartbreaker, picks his final 3
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Pope orders Vatican to reopen case of priest ousted from Jesuits after claims of adult abuse
- A new cure for sickle cell disease may be coming. Health advisers will review it next week
- Malaysia picks powerful ruler of Johor state as country’s new king under rotation system
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Coyotes’ Travis Dermott on using Pride tape, forcing NHL’s hand: ‘Had to be done’
Ranking
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- UN General Assembly set to vote on nonbinding resolution calling for a `humanitarian truce’ in Gaza
- Kailyn Lowry Is Pregnant With Twins Months After Welcoming Baby No. 5
- Proof That Celebrities Enjoy Dressing Up as Other Stars as Much as We Do
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Georgia’s largest utility looks to natural gas as it says it needs to generate more electricity soon
- Booze free frights: How to make Witches Brew Punch and other Halloween mocktails
- Iran’s deputy foreign minister met Hamas representatives in Moscow, Russian state media says
Recommendation
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
How FBoy Island Proved to Be the Real Paradise For Former Bachelorette Katie Thurston
The economy surged 4.9% in the third quarter. But is a recession still looming?
Cultural figures find perils to speaking out and staying silent about Mideast crisis
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
6 of 9 deputies charged in death of man beaten in Memphis jail plead not guilty
At least 21 dead in Kazakhstan coal mine fire
Pope orders Vatican to reopen case of priest ousted from Jesuits after claims of adult abuse