South Africa has announced that it will recall all its diplomats from Israel to express its concern over the ongoing war in Gaza, where more than 10,000 people have been killed in a month of fighting.
The decision was made on Monday by the South African government, which said it was “extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories” and accused Israel of imposing a “collective punishment” on the Palestinians.
The move follows a similar action by Turkey, which recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv on Saturday, as well as several other Muslim and South American countries that have cut or downgraded their ties with Israel.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said the recall of the diplomats was a “normal practice” and that they would give a “full briefing” on the situation to the government, which would then decide whether to maintain or sever its relationship with Israel.