South Africa is considering the position of the Israeli ambassador to this country while recalling its diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultation, according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The cabinet has instructed the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) to take action against Eliav Belotserkovsky, the Israeli ambassador to South Africa.
Cabinet also noted Belotserkovsky’s ‘continuing disparaging remarks’ about those opposing ‘the atrocities and genocide of Israeli government’, she said.
‘The position of the ambassador of Israel in South Africa is becoming very untenable’, she said. ‘Cabinet has decided to instruct Dirco to take necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with the conduct of the ambassador of Israel to South Africa’.
Ntshavheni would not say what action would be taken against Belotserkovsky.
‘Our responsibility is to instruct them to say “the conduct and remarks of the ambassador are unacceptable”. He is a guest in our country. He must conduct himself as a guest in our country.’
Ntshavheni reiterated government’s opposition to the bombardment of the Gaza Strip, accusing Israel and the US of undermining international law and the UN resolutions.
The threat of nuclear weapons and failure by the international community to hold Israel to account and to stop the impunity and genocidal acts ‘will mean a total collapse of the multilateral system and collapse of the global system of governance’.
‘Israel is threatening the stability of the global system with its conduct against the Palestinian people. The US’ support of Israel is enabling Israel to threaten the global system of multilateralism and good governance and that makes a peaceful global order [threatened].’
‘Another holocaust in the history of humankind is unacceptable and the South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation.’