Itumelele Radebe
South Africa is yet to make a decision on removing its Embassy in Israel, as cabinet found the ambassador’s arguments for Palestinian support in the nation inadmissible according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni.
According to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, no decision has been made by the government to remove Israel’s ambassador from South Africa.
The National Assembly was notified on Wednesday by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), that a proposal to remove Eliav Belotserkovsky from office by the government will be presented the following week.
Pandor stated that the administration was not yet at the stage of taking such harsh measures when responding to questions in the National Assembly.
“As to expulsion, there is no decision with respect to that at this moment. Should such a decision be made, we would come into the public space and make the necessary announcement.”
Alvin Botes, Pandor’s deputy, stated that since the ambassador was called back in 2018, all South African diplomats stationed in Tel Aviv under the direction of a charge d’affaires have been evacuated for consultations.
“So that is obviously the fortified action that government has taken in response to the conduct of the state of Israel against the people of Palestine.”
According to several opposition groups, South Africa needs to keep a presence on the ground in these precarious times and they oppose the move.
