Israel removes its ambassador from South Africa

Israel called back its ambassador in South Africa to have a discussion.

On Monday, the ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said that the decision was made because of recent statements from South Africa about Israel. He didn’t give details.

South Africa does not like what Israel is doing in Gaza with their military.

On Tuesday, the members of parliament voted to suggest closing the Israeli embassy until there is a stop to the fighting and a promise to talk things out.

248 people in parliament voted yes and 91 voted no.

All politicians from the ruling African National Congress agreed with it, but we don’t know if the government will do what was suggested.

Even though the person in charge didn’t like it, some members of parliament shouted “free, free Palestine” after the decision was made.

Israel started a big war in Gaza because hundreds of Hamas fighters attacked them. At least 1,200 people were killed and over 200 were taken captive.

US President Joe Biden said that a deal where Hamas would release some hostages is almost done.

The health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, says that at least 13,000 people have died in the area since Israel started its campaign in response.

Israel is saying that they are protecting themselves and want to stop Hamas and prevent another attack like the one last month.

The Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotserkovsky was called back to Israel just before South Africa started hosting a virtual meeting of the Brics group of countries, including China and Russia, to talk about the Israel-Hamas war.

At the end, the Brics leaders asked for a quick and lasting break from fighting in Gaza to help people in need.

China’s leader, President Xi Jinping, also asked for the freedom of people who are not soldiers and are being held captive.

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said it was wrong to punish all Palestinian people for the actions of a few.

Vladimir Putin said the US is stopping other countries from making peace in the Middle East.

South Africa asked the International Criminal Court to arrest Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, by the middle of December.

Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said if this didn’t happen, it would show that global leadership has failed.

South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti have asked the ICC to look into if war crimes and crimes against humanity happened in Gaza.

The UN Security Council wants to have short breaks in fighting so that UN workers can go into the area that is blocked off.

South Africa brought its diplomats back from Israel earlier this month. For five years, there has not been a South African ambassador in Israel.