The South African Parliament is set to debate whether to close the Israeli embassy in the country and suspend diplomatic relations with Israel on Thursday.
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This comes a week after International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor outlined the government’s position on the Middle East conflict.
‘We are… extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories and we believe the nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment,’ Minister Naledi Pandor said.
‘We felt it important that we do signal the concern of South Africa while continuing to call for a comprehensive cessation (of hostilities).’
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, told a press briefing that all diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv would be asked back to Pretoria for consultations.
The debate is sponsored by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which advocates for severing all diplomatic ties with Israel, EWN reported.
Tensions arose previously in the National Assembly over the withdrawal of diplomats from the Tel Aviv embassy, with opposition parties questioning the government’s claims.
The EFF argues for firing the Israeli ambassador and insists on compliance with international law.
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