Israel has recalled its ambassador to SA, Eliav Belotserkovsky, in a pre-emptive move ahead of crucial meetings on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Belotserkovsky’s recall for consultations, according to Reuters, comes just hours before Brics leaders convene a special sitting to discuss the situation in Gaza as the international community ramps up efforts to isolate Israel for its bombardment of Palestinian targets.
It suggests a rise in tensions as SA recalled its diplomats from that country last week.
“Just like SA took a decision to recall our diplomats for consultations, it is their sovereign right to recall their ambassador,” department of international relations & co-operation spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.
Tuesday’s Brics meeting, which will also be attended by UN secretary-general António Guterres, will see the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA deliver opening public remarks, followed by closed-door discussions.
“Leaders are expected to adopt a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East, with particular reference to Gaza,” the presidency said in a statement on Monday.
As the conflict continues to play out on the global stage, the National Assembly is set to vote on Tuesday on an EFF-led motion to close the Israeli embassy in the country.
But international relations & co-operation minister Naledi Pandor on Monday said this is unlikely and counterproductive.
“SA cannot have normal relations with Israel as long as the latter is unwilling to sincerely negotiate a peace plan without preconditions with Palestine,” Pandor said in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Monday.
“SA cannot be a party in any way to Israel’s plans and actions that would see the ideal of Palestinian statehood reduced into balkanised entities devoid of true sovereignty, without territorial contiguity and with no economic viability.
“However, breaking of diplomatic relations with Israel will be counterproductive as it will also affect our representative office in Ramallah, Palestine, and by implication weaken the meaningful role that SA can play in the Palestinian cause.”
The ANC has already publicly said it will support the EFF motion, which needs a simple 50% majority to pass.
The ANC holds 230 of 400 seats in the National Assembly and the EFF has 44.
However, some small opposition parties led by the DA are unlikely to support the motion.
The Israeli-Hamas conflict has so polarised SA that President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday sought to calm tensions. He said his government is continuing with diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflict.
Ramaphosa warned against the Gaza conflict dividing South Africans. “The conflict between Israel and Palestine has long been a polarising conflict that has deepened divisions in societies and communities way beyond the Middle East,” he said in his weekly newsletter published on Monday.
The president criticised heightened tensions in Cape Town last week when police were forced to intervene in a confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters at a demonstration.
“While this incident is troubling and unacceptable‚ we must commend all South Africans who have participated in orderly and peaceful demonstrations in several parts of our country.
“Our constitution protects everyone’s right to freedom of opinion and expression‚ to freedom of association and to demonstrate.
“It also requires that all demonstrations must be peaceful and that freedom of expression does not extend to the advocacy of hatred based on race‚ ethnicity‚ gender or religion that constitutes incitement to cause harm,” Ramaphosa said.
Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Monday the government is consulting with SA diplomats who were recalled from Tel Aviv more than a week ago.
The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is upset by the recall and hopes it will be temporary “as diplomacy and dialogue is the only option”, according to vice-president Zev Krengel.
The SA Zionist Federation said Belotserkovsky’s recall is a result of “SA’s one-sided and irresponsible rhetoric in support of Palestine”. The federation “condemns SA’s increasingly antagonistic and discriminatory position against the world’s only Jewish state.
“The ANC’s prejudicial posturing on this conflict will have profound implications for our country, as well as Jewish and Christian South Africans and others with religious and spiritual ties to Israel,” it said.
Update: November 20 2023
This story has been updated with new information and comment.
