Israel was running for an observer member seat in AU, South Africa is giving it a shot…

Confronted with the turn of events in Gaza, the South African government has decided to bring back all its diplomats working in Israel for “consultation”, reports Daily Maverick. International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor expressed her country was “extremely concerned” about developments in Gaza, adding that “Israel’s reaction has become collective punishment” in defiance of international humanitarian law. …

Similarly, the South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation was tasked with taking the “necessary measures within the framework of diplomatic channels and protocols” towards the Israeli ambassador to South Africa.

South African authorities did not at all appreciate the “derogatory remarks about those who oppose atrocities and genocide [perpetrated by the] Israeli government”, remarks made by Israel’s envoy to Africa from the South, Eliav Belotserkovsky. According to Pretoria, the posture of the Israeli diplomat is simply “untenable”.

Naledi Pandor did not elaborate on the essence of these “remarks”, she limited herself to saying that the exit of the Israeli ambassador is comparable to that of the American ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety. The latter had singled out South Africa for arms deliveries to Russia while slamming the ANC for its posture towards the USA.

All this to say that “the recall of South African diplomats to Israel is a serious signal showing that South Africa takes a very dim view of the situation currently prevailing in this part of the world”.

The South African newspaper recalls that in 2018 Pretoria likewise recalled its ambassador to Israel after the death of 55 Gazans during demonstrations against the transfer of the American embassy to Jerusalem.

Finally, let us remember that since the end of apartheid, Pretoria has defended the Palestinian cause everywhere, with the ANC assimilating its fight for liberation to that of Palestine. This is also the reason why South Africa systematically blocks Israel’s accession to the African Union (AU) as an observer member