Israel recalls its ambassador from South Africa

ISRAEL: Israel has recalled its ambassador in South Africa “for consultations”, Israel’s foreign ministry has said.

It follows the “latest South African statements” on Israel, ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said on X without giving specifics.

South Africa has been highly critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

On Monday it urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by mid-December.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said failure to do so would signal a “total failure” of global governance.

The recall of Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotserkovsky comes just before South Africa is due to host a virtual summit of the Brics group of nations, which includes China and Russia, on the Israel-Hamas war.

The meeting to be chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes to draw up a common response to the conflict.

Also on Tuesday, South Africa’s parliament is expected to vote on whether to close the Israeli embassy and suspend all diplomatic relations until Israel agrees to a cease-fire and commits to negotiations facilitated by the UN.

The governing African National Congress has agreed to the motion but whether the party or the government will support it in parliament remains to be seen.