South Africa and Chad Withdraw Diplomats from Israel

South Africa and Chad will be recalling their diplomats from Israel for "consultation" in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced this decision during a news conference on Monday, following a cabinet meeting held on November 1.

The South African government informed CNN that they will recall three diplomats from Israel. Ntshavheni stated during the briefing that the Cabinet has taken note of the ongoing derogatory comments made by the Israeli ambassador towards those opposing the Israeli government's atrocities and genocide. She further expressed that the ambassador's position has become increasingly untenable.

Ntshavheni emphasized that the international community cannot tolerate a genocide taking place. Over the past few weeks, Israel's ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, has consistently appeared in South African media, including the public broadcaster.

South Africa's parliament passed a resolution in March to reduce its diplomatic relations with Israel. The government of South Africa has issued strong condemnations of Israel's military operation in Gaza.

The foreign ministry of South Africa declared in a media statement on November 4 that Israel committing a war crime by deliberately attacking Palestinian civilians in hospitals, ambulances, schools, apartment buildings, and even in their private cars. South Africa re-emphasized its demand for an immediate ceasefire. Similarly, Chad responded to the Gaza conflict by recalling its chargé d'affaires to Israel on November 4, as announced by the government spokesperson in a statement shared on Facebook by the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Chadian presidency website announced on Monday that the senior diplomat is being recalled for consultations due to strong discontent over the ongoing conflict. In light of the situation, the government spokesperson expressed Chad's condemnation of the loss of innocent civilian lives and called for an immediate ceasefire that would ultimately lead to a sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Several countries, such as Turkey, Honduras, Colombia, Chile, Jordan, and Bahrain, have recalled their ambassadors from Israel in response to the Gaza conflict and the ongoing Israeli airstrikes. Turkey specifically cited the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza as the reason for the recall.

Last week, Bolivia announced the termination of its diplomatic ties with Israel, referring to the "crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people" during Israel's conflict with Hamas. CNN correspondents David McKenzie and Sarah Dean covered the story from South Africa, while Joseph Ataman and Maya Szaniecki reported from Paris.