South Africa Recalls All Diplomats from Israel, Accusing the Country of 'Genocide' in Gaza Conflict

Decision follows five weeks of conflict in which 10,000 Gaza civilians reported dead: diplomatic ties strained across multiple countries, as Israel faces accusations of collective punishment.

South Africa has recalled all its diplomats from Israel amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza. This retaliatory action was spurred by concerns over the killing of civilians, which South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, termed as 'collective punishment'.
The South African government threatened action against the Israeli ambassador to South Africa, in response to his recent remarks on South Africa's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. It was stated that his position in the country was 'untenable'.
Pro-Palestinian protesters in South Africa have been staging demonstrations at the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg and Israeli embassies in Pretoria and Cape Town, demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador.
South Africa joins other countries including Chile, Colombia, Honduras, and Bolivia in recalling their ambassadors from Israel. Bolivia went a step further, severing diplomatic ties with Israel altogether.
The conflict, which has entered its fifth week, was instigated by a surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants that resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths. Since then, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in over 10,000 reported Palestinian civilian deaths according to Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.