Israel has recalled its ambassador to South Africa for consultations after the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) accused the Jewish state of “genocide” in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that Eliav Belotsercovsky would return to Jerusalem following the “latest statements from South Africa.”
ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said last week that, “We cannot sit back and watch the genocidal actions of the Israeli regime.”
The move comes two weeks after Pretoria recalled its diplomats from Israel.
“We are … 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,” South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said at the time.
“We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation [of hostilities],” she continued.
Israel has consistently stated that its war is with Hamas, not Gazan civilians, and has demonstrated how Hamas commits war crimes by using human shields. Israel maintains that it acts within international law and does everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.
Pandor spoke by phone with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Oct. 17, less than two weeks after the terror group’s assault on southern Israel, during which it massacred 1,200 people, wounded more than 5,000 others and took some 240 hostages back to Gaza.