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On Tuesday, the majority of South African parliamentarians supported a motion calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy and the suspension of diplomatic relations until Israel agrees to a cease-fire in Gaza. South Africa’s government will determine whether to terminate all ties with Israel.
The voting on the resolution, which was supported by the ruling African National Congress party, came as President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza with its military offensive in search of Hamas terrorist rulers.
The proposal introduced by the opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters was supported by 248 parliamentarians, while it was opposed by 91.
The vote occurred after Israel’s foreign ministry said that its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, had been summoned back to Jerusalem “for consultations.”
Tensions in the two countries’ diplomatic ties have risen as a result of the Gaza conflict.
Previously, Ramaphosa stated that his government believes Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have died.
Last Monday, South Africa declared that it has referred Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza to the International Criminal Court for inquiry.
Its government has requested that the International Criminal Court issue an arrest order for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
South Africa withdrew all of its diplomatic personnel from Israel earlier this month.
Ramaphosa’s latest remarks Tuesday (November 21) saw a virtual gathering of BRICS leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The BRICS bloc issued a united statement calling for “an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.”
Tensions between Israel and Hamas resurfaced when the Palestinian militant group conducted a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people.
According to Palestinian health officials, Israel’s retaliatory bombings on Gaza have killed around 12,700 Palestinians.
