South Africa has issued a demarche to the Israeli ambassador to South Africa over Israel’s war on Gaza.
South Africa has issued a demarche to the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Friday.
This is in protest at his recent “unfortunate conduct relating to the unfolding, tragic Israel-Palestine war.”
Earlier this week, the cabinet rebuked the public statements he made about South Africans’ support for Palestinians.
Director-General of DIRCO, Zane Dangor, expressed on Friday South Africa’s grave concerns regarding the current trajectory of events, especially the attacks on Gaza which has seen more than 11,000 civilians, including over 4,500 children killed by Israeli airstrikes.
"If there is a hell on earth, it is the north of Gaza," Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the weekly press briefing in Geneva. pic.twitter.com/cbkmBm5sdd
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Dangor said South Africa wants the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the leadership of Israel for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
He told Ambassador Belotserkovsky that South Africa has taken a decision to recall its diplomats from Tel Aviv to assess its relationship with the country.
Dangor stressed that South Africa once again called for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and the release of all civilian hostages.
Dozens of Palestinians were killed and injured on Thursday in an Israeli bombardment targeting Salah al-Din Street, south of Gaza City. pic.twitter.com/C8RurbaFQe
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Dangor called upon Belotserkovsky to conduct himself in line with the Vienna Conventions, which accord heads of diplomatic missions certain privileges and responsibilities, key amongst which is to recognize the sovereign decisions of the host nation.
He reiterated South Africa’s position, saying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through ending the occupation and through immediate talks towards a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
The bodies of more than 50 Palestinians were recovered on Thursday from inside Al-Buraq School, in northern Gaza.https://t.co/E2PdpmtihY pic.twitter.com/xzoxXYZE7a
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) November 10, 2023
Dangor said the ambassador was asked to convey South African Government concerns to Tel Aviv, and added that South Africa stands ready to play a role in the restoration of peace and the resumption of negotiations between all parties.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
