Israeli ambassador recalled from South Africa amid dispute over Gaza remarks

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday said it recalled its ambassador to South Africa for consultation over remarks by South African officials on Israel's onslaught against Gaza.

While the ministry did not specify the exact comments that prompted the recall, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that the South African officials' remarks were supportive of the Palestinian Hamas group and critical of Israel.

According to the Times of Israel news website, a spokesperson for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said that the party "cannot sit back and watch the genocide actions of the Israeli regime."

The report also quoted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as saying that his country had submitted a referral against Israel to the International Criminal Court concerning its military operation in Gaza.

On Nov. 10, South Africa announced recalling its ambassador to Tel Aviv and all its diplomatic missions in protest of the Israeli attacks.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip -- including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship -- since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 13,300 Palestinians have been killed, including 5,600 children and 3,550 women.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar