South Africa recalls all diplomats from Israel; SA Jewish Board raises concerns

In response to Israel’s retaliatory bombing campaign in Gaza after the armed invasion of southern Israel by Hamas militia, South Africa has decided to recall all its diplomats from Israel.

Naledi Pandor has also stated that the Israeli ambassador’s position in the country was becoming “more and more untenable,” raising the possibility of the Israeli ambassador being expelled. She characterised the invasion of Gaza as a “collective punishment”.

The Israeli ambassador has been accused of making “disparaging comments” about those protesting Israel’s part of the conflict.

But this isn’t the first time South Africa has taken critical diplomatic stances regarding Israel. The ruling party has a history of supporting the Palestinian cause and has previously downgraded its embassy in Tel Aviv in 2019 and removed its ambassador there.

Israel is remembered locally for being the only country not to join the global sanctions against the Afrikaner nationalist regime, and is frequently compared to the old apartheid regime for its territorial segregation and history of forced removals, which many liken to the Separate Development, or “Bantustan” policy, noting the geographical discontiguity of the Palestinian territories.

The country is calling for a comprehensive cessation of hostilities and expressing concern about the civilian casualties in the Palestinian territories. This decision has sparked criticism from Israel, which sees it as a victory for Hamas.

Pandor also recently received criticism for a private meeting with Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh, in which humanitarian aid to Gaza was allegedly discussed. Pandor at first denied this meeting, before it was confirmed by her department.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other officials have shown solidarity with the Palestinians, while South Africa’s largest Jewish community has also expressed its views.

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies’ Wendy Kahn raised concerns that our stance may leave South African citizens in Israel more vulnerable.

“South Africa’s standing and the international relations principle is that we always engage. In the past when there has been a dispute, an ambassador would be recalled for consultation.

“But to bring back all the diplomats and leave South African citizens open at a time like this is concerning.”

Other countries in the Middle East and Africa, including more recently Chad, have made similar moves, with Chad recalling its Israeli charge d’affaires.

This move by South Africa adds to the growing list of negative international responses to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.