South Africa votes for closure of Israeli embassy over Gaza strikes: summary

What we know

• Lawmakers in South Africa have supported a motion calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria and the suspension of diplomatic ties between both countries.
• This comes following Israel’s constant attacks on Gaza. 248 parliamentarians voted on November 21, 2023, in favour of the motion in parliament for all such activities to halt until a ceasefire is passed, while 91 voted against it.
• The left-wing opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters introduced the motion, backed by the ruling African National Congress. It was opposed by members of the centrist, white majority, and largely pro-Israel Democratic Alliance.
• The South African government headed by Cyril Ramaphosa will have to decide whether or not to implement this.
• Meanwhile, Israel has recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eli Belotserkovsky for consultations on November 20 after the motion was called.

What they said

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government believes Israel is antagonising and perpetrating war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip. He called for joint efforts to restore peace to the area. “As individual countries, we have demonstrated our grave concern at the death and destruction in Gaza. “Let this meeting stand as a clarion call for us to combine our efforts and strengthen our actions to end this historical injustice. Let us work together to realise a just, peaceful and secure future for the people of both Palestine and Israel,” Ramaphosa said in a statement on the South African government website.