South Africa has strongly condemned the latest acts of aggression that the Israeli army has carried out along the Gaza border.
South Africa has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel Sisa Ngombane with immediate effect until further notice following the attacks in which 40 civilians were killed, scores others wounded and property destroyed.
The victims were taking part in a protest against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
South Africa maintains the solution in the Middle East must come in the form of two states, Palestine and Israel, existing side-by-side and in peace.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) says given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African government has taken a decision to recall its ambassador.
South Africa says the violence in the Gaza Strip will stand in the way of rebuilding Palestinian institutions and infrastructure and reiterates its view that the Israeli Defence Force must withdraw from the Gaza Strip and bring to an end the violent and destructive incursions into Palestinian territories.
The country stands by member states of the United Nations for an independent inquiry into the killings, with a view to holding to account those who are responsible.
Click below for more…
