By Thys Khiba
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) chairperson Karen Milner has accused the African National Congress (ANC) and SA government of bullying after Israeli ambassador Eli Belotserkovsky was recalled by his government following SA’s recall of its Israel-based diplomatic staff.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD)
Milner said it was “a great pity that the situation in South Africa has deteriorated to the degree that Israel decided to recall its ambassador.”
“This takes place against the background of a sustained campaign of demonisation and bullying of the Israeli ambassador by the ANC…and the South African government in a way that was unconducive to dialogue and engagement,” said Milner.
This comes after the South African government announced on 6 November that their diplomatic staff in Israel would be recalled for “consultation.”
Belotserkovsky was called by Israel’s foreign ministry back to his native land on Monday for “consultation.” Presidency Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni asserted that Belotserkovsky’s “position… in South Africa is becoming very untenable.”
Meanwhile, on the same day, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor shared the views by saying that Belotserkovsky is “disrespectful”.
The ANC and the SAJBD met last week in relation to the resurgence of the 75-year-old Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel has bombed Gaza, flattering hospitals, schools and refugee camps.
The ANC claimed: The engagement with the SAJBD is aligned with the ANC’s approach of consulting broadly and advocating for a just, peaceful and humane world.
Milner said the SAJBD is hoping that “both the Israeli ambassador to South Africa and the South African ambassador to Israel will return to these respective countries [at the] conclusion of these consultations in a way that will contribute to continued dialogue and engagement in the interest of peace.”
On Tuesday, MPs in the National Assembly voted on the motion that was introduced by EFF leader Julius Malema to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa.
The MPs have voted in favor of closing the Israeli embassy to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Gaza.
This decision paves the way for the cutting of diplomatic ties between the two nations and the suspension of the Israeli ambassador to SA.
The ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina moved for an amendment to the motion, in relation to the following would be added to the (9) point: “until a ceasefire is agreed to by Israel and Israel commits to UN facilitated negotiations which leads to a just, sustainable lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, the DA, IFP, FF Plus and ACDP opposed the motion saying that closing the Israeli embassy would leave South Africa without influence as a potential peace broker.
ACDP leader Steve Swart said the scriptures read “blessed be the peacemaker. We need to be part of that solution as peacemakers.”
Malema welcomed the ANC’s amendment to the motion and viewed ANC as a mature political party on this matter.