Two more nations have joined the handful of others that have recalled their diplomats from Israel. South African officials announced the decision at a press conference Nov. 6. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said that South Africa is “extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories, and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment.” She added: “We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation [of hostilities].”
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni was much stronger. “A genocide under the watch of the international community cannot be tolerated,” she said. It’s not acceptable that another Holocaust can take place under the watch of the international community, she indicated. Her office has asked for DIRCO, the South African foreign ministry, to take action against Israel’s Ambassador to South Africa Eliav Belotserkovsky, but it has not called for his expulsion.
