Parliament will today vote on Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s motion for the closure of the Israeli Embassy.
The vote comes a day after Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had recalled its ambassador to South Africa for consultations, following what it refers to as the “latest statements from South Africa”.
A week ago, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) formally reprimanded Ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky.This was over a statement related to South Africa’s stance on the war between Israel and Hamas.
The decision by Israel’s Foreign Ministry comes in the context of strained relations with South Africa whose senior government officials have called Israel’s military actions in Gaza genocide and referred the matter to the International Criminal Court.
President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that while they did not condone the actions of Hamas when the group launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, he criticised Israel’s response in Gaza where he quoted “People were dying like flies”.
The ANC last week also indicated support for a parliamentary motion calling for the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria to be closed.South Africa also earlier recalled its diplomatic staff from Israel in protest.
(story credit: SABC News)
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