South Africa has withdrawn its Ambassador to Israel following the killing of Palestinian protestors at the Gaza border.
The South African government said in a statement on Monday that it “condemns in the strongest terms possible, the latest acts of violent aggression carried out by Israeli armed forces”.
According to the statement, the South African government took the decision to recall Ambassador Sisa Ngombane until further notice, owing to the indiscriminate nature and gravity of the Israeli attack.
In it South Africa reiterates its view that the Israeli Defence Force must withdraw from the Gaza Strip and bring to an end the violent and destructive incursions into Palestinian territory.
The government has also reiterated calls made by several member states of the United Nations for an independent inquiry into the killings with a view to holding to account those responsible.
The South African government is a fervent supporter of the Palestinian cause and South Africa’s relations with Israel have long been frosty.
Sovereignty
The US officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, at which US President Donald Trump said in a recorded message that Israel was a sovereign nation like any other with the right to recognize its own capital. Trump also said he was fully committed to facilitating lasting peace, and extended a hand of friendship to Israelis and Palestinians.
Over 50 lives have been reported lost in the protest by Palestinians against the opening of the embassy and against Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip.
