By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Cabinet has decided to recall South Africa’s diplomats in Israel for further consultations on the situation in Gaza.
The Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni made the announcement in Pretoria when she briefed the media on the outcomes of last week’s cabinet meeting on Monday.
Ntshavheni says Pretoria is disappointed with Israel’s continued bombing of schools and clinics in Gaza and the closure of humanitarian passages.
Israel has been at war in Gaza since the attacks of October 7 when Hamas militants stormed across the border, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 240, Israeli officials say.
Israel has relentlessly bombarded the Gaza Strip and sent in ground troops, with the health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory saying 9,770 people have been killed, around two-thirds of them women and children.
The South African government has expressed solidarity and support for the people of Palestine while also condemning the killing of civilians on both sides.
Some pro-Palestine groups have held pickets outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, calling for the removal of the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky.
Ntshavheni says the South African government decided to withdraw all its ambassadors from Israel for consultations.
“Cabinet is disappointed by the refusal of the Israeli government to respect International law and the United Nations resolutions with impunity. The humanitarian corridors remain closed due to the continued attacks of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government, which is increasing the death toll to more than 9500.
“As previously indicated, genocide under the watch of the international community cannot be tolerated. Another holocaust in the history of humankind is unacceptable.
“The South African government has decided to withdraw all its ambassadors in Tel Aviv for consultations,” she said.
Ntshavheni says the government was also concerned about Eliav Belotserkovsky’s behaviour and has since instructed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to take action.
“Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government.
This is despite the condemnation by the previous ambassadors of Israel to South Africa, who were clear that the act of the Israeli government was a repeat of the apartheid and no different to the apartheid act.
“The position of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa is becoming very unattainable; the cabinet has decided to instruct DIRCO to take necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with the conduct of the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa,” says Ntshavheni.
Ntshavheni emphasised that this was a serious signal from the South African government.
Govt to inspect and audit spaza shops
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says various government departments will embark on a joint operation to inspect and audit spaza shops.
The death of four children in Soweto and the West Rand has triggered a crackdown on informal spaza shops in the townships by law enforcement authorities.
The children died from food poisoning after buying snacks from local spaza shops.
While police are still investigating the cause of all four deaths, the incident has led to a call for the government to bring back food inspectors and close spaza shops owned by immigrants.
Ntshavheni said the Department of Home Affairs held an international migration workshop with traditional leaders and mayors from metro and district municipalities.
Cabinet praises Boks victory
Cabinet has sent its congratulations to the record breaking Springboks team on their victory at the Rugby World Cup in Paris.
Ntshavheni congratulated the Boks on their second back-to-back World Cup win.
The team clinched the Webb Ellis Cup following a tough encounter against New Zealand. The Boks are the only national team who have won the Rugby World Cup four times.
Ntshavheni paid special homage to the diverse make-up of the Springboks team that took on and conquered the world.
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Video Courtesy of GCIS.