Israel’s ambassador to SA, Eliav Belotserkovsky, remains in the country in his official position and there is no decision yet to expel him, international relations & co-operation minister Naledi Pandor said on Wednesday.
This is despite the government earlier this week describing Belotserkovsky’s position in the country as “untenable” and withdrawing all its diplomats from Tel Aviv amid Israel’s war with Gaza.
“As to expulsion, there is no decision with respect to that ... should such a decision be made we certainly will come into the public space and make the necessary announcement,” Pandor told MPs.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since the start of the current conflict between Israel and Gaza on October 7. This is after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked parts of southern Israel, killing at least 1,400 people and taking others hostage, according to the Israeli government.
Palestinian authorities say that more than 10,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israel’s retaliation.
During a question-and-answer session in parliament, Pandor confirmed that she had a phone call with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh soon after the conflict began. However, she denied that she expressed support for Hamas or its actions against Israelis.
“Following that request from Hamas, I indeed had a call with them. I did dial the number provided by the Hamas leader’s office, because they could not dial directly to SA, given the bandwidth and other prohibitions at the time,” she said.
“The policy position of the government of SA has always been that there should be a two-state solution. This is something that the actions of Israel have clearly indicated is not desired, but it is our belief and much of the world, including the majority of member states of the UN, that this is the only solution to achieving peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine.
“Hence our seemingly overbearing, to some members, support for Palestine, is due to the fact that they are the ones that exist and live under oppression and injustice,” she said. “However, being the very fair people that we are, we recognise the right of Israel to exist, hence our belief that the only way to achieve peace is through a two-state solution.”
On humanitarian aid, Pandor said the government has been working with a number of civil society organisations and other governments to ensure aid reached Gaza. She said the government had been “in conversation” with the Gift of the Givers, the Red Cross and other civil society organisations to identify opportunities for facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and other parts of the Palestinian territories.
“We’ve also provided diplomatic support through liaison with the government of Egypt for NGOs to transport humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through the Rafa crossing point.”
Asked about the risk posed by South Africans serving in the Israeli Defence Force, minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said this was receiving attention. It is illegal for South Africans to participate in military operations under a foreign flag if not sanctioned by the government, she said.
