# Israel has recalled for consultations its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky. This decision comes in the context of strained relations with South Africa, whose senior government officials have called Israel’s military actions in Gaza genocide, and referred the matter to the International Criminal Court. The ANC says it will support a parliamentary motion calling for the Israeli embassy in the country to be closed temporarily. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says just like it took a decision to recall its diplomats, it was Israel’s sovereign right to do the same.
Israel recalls its ambassador to South Africa for consultations