On Monday the government announced it would recall SA’s diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultation amid the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Simultaneously, it is expected to step up pressure on Israel’s ambassador to SA by scolding him for his public remarks.
These steps, part of a diplomatic arsenal to communicate displeasure to a foreign government, show that Pretoria is both running out of patience and next moves in this protracted conflict started on October 7 by a surprise air, sea and land assault on southern Israel by Hamas.
SA’s posture has hitherto included outright condemnation of both sides for the violence, solidarity with ordinary Palestinians, and now a strong rebuke of Israel.
SA is not alone in finding itself in a corner. The US, which has stood by Israel, is finding out that its sway in the conflict has limits too. After a month of bombarding Gaza, Washington is finding it difficult to sustain its support for Israel without asking it to moderate the campaign which has now disproportionately claimed more civilian lives.
After the diplomatic bluster, Pretoria, which has long downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel, will have to return to old-fashioned diplomacy. Among others, it needs to persuade allies such as China, Saudi Arabia and Iran to do more to secure a ceasefire that will pave the way for political negotiations.
