A majority of South African lawmakers on Tuesday voted in favor of a movement calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy and the chopping of diplomatic ties till Israel agrees to a cease-fire in Gaza.
The vote on the movement supported by the ruling African National Congress get together got here as President Cyril Ramaphosa in a gathering with different world leaders accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza with its navy offensive within the beseiged territory searching for its Hamas militant rulers.
The movement tabled by the opposition get together Economic Freedom Fighters acquired the assist of 248 parliament members whereas 91 lawmakers opposed it.
The vote got here after Israel’s international ministry mentioned it had recalled its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, again to Jerusalem “for consultations.”
The two international locations’ diplomatic relations have witnessed an increase in tensions over the struggle in Gaza. Ramaphosa beforehand mentioned his nation believes Israel is committing struggle crimes in Gaza, the place 1000’s of Palestinians have been killed.
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South Africa introduced final week that it had referred what it known as Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza to the International Criminal Court for an investigation. Its cupboard has known as on the ICC to subject an arrest warrant towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier this month, South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel and withdrew all its diplomatic employees.
Ramaphosa’s new feedback Tuesday got here in a digital assembly of BRICS international locations attended by leaders of the bloc together with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Israel-Hamas struggle started after the Palestinian militant group’s shock assaults on Israel on Oct.7 killed about 1,200 individuals. Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza have killed greater than 12,700 individuals, based on Palestinian well being authorities.
