Cabinet has condemned and further reiterated its stance against the acts of violent aggression carried out by Israeli armed forces along the Gaza border, which led to the deaths of a large number of civilians.
“Given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African government made a decision to recall Ambassador Sisa Ngombane until further notice.
“Cabinet calls on the Israeli Defence Force to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and bring to an end the violent and destructive incursions into Palestinian territories,” said Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane on Thursday.
Mokonyane was briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
On 14 May, the South African government announced the recall of its ambassador to Israel with immediate effect following Israel's deadly attack on the Gaza Strip.
The recall of the ambassador, as announced by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) was in protest against the Israeli attack.
“Their routine actions present yet another obstacle to a permanent resolution to the conflict, which must come in the form of two states, Palestine and Israel, existing side-by-side and in peace,” she said.
Cabinet reiterated calls made by several member states of the United Nations for an independent inquiry into the killings, with a view to hold those responsible accountable. – SAnews.gov.za
