DEBATE: SA withdraws diplomats from Israel

The South African government announced on Monday that all SA diplomats will be recalled from Israel to show its concern over the current war. 

PARTIES TORN

Some political parties support the government’s decision while others are in opposition and feel that this is not a good strategy.

According to EWN, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it is in solidarity with both Israel and Gaza, while Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a representative of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), made it clear that he agrees with the government’s decision. “Why are we friends with people who are massacring children in hospitals and schools? Let’s sever ties,” he said.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) both disagree with the recall of South African diplomats from Israel. IFP’s Mkhuleko Hlengwa said “Isolationism in a time of war is not a solution. Recalling or dismissing ambassadors merely amounts to regressive diplomacy”.

EWN reported that Corné Mulder from the Freedom Front Plus (FFP) is of the opinion that the government is dishonest about the decision. “It’s not for consultation, you can take the telephone and consult. You can take a zoom call and consult. You withdrew those people to send a message to Israel,” said Mulder.

The National Freedom Party (NFP) and African Transformation Movement (ATM) feel that the government should take its diplomatic action even a step further and expel the Israeli ambassador to South Africa.

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PANDOR EXPLAINS WHY 

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, explained why the government decided to recall diplomatic officials from Israel, according to an article published by IOL. Pandor said it is normal practice to make a decision like this in situations where there is an issue that causes great concern to government. There is huge concern about the escalation of the current conflict in the Middle East.

Pandor said that it seems Israel is using the policy of collective punishment, as thousands of women, children, and innocent people have been killed in the conflict. According to EWN, Pandor said that this type of punishment “falls fully outside of the practice of international humanitarian and human rights law”.

CURRENT DEATH TOLL

CNN reported that, as of yesterday, the violence in the Middle East has caused more than 1 400 deaths in Israel and at least 10 305 deaths in Gaza. It’s been a month since the start of the war and thousands more Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the last month than those who died in conflicts with Israel over the last 15 years.

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