The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera reported that South Africa has recalled its ambassador to Israel to protest the deadly Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla Ships filled with humanitarian supplies, and peace activists. The attack left nine activists killed and dozens wounded. South Africa said that this attack is a direct violation to international law, and added that that this attack has significant negative impacts on the chances of achieving a lasting peace solution to the Middle East conflict.
Yet, the country added that this recall is not permanent, and that the ambassador will be sent back to Israel after consultations.
The government in South Africa stated that it does not intend to expel Israel’s ambassador and has no intention to cut diplomatic ties with the country.
The move is only meant to express South Africa’s condemnation to the deadly attack against the ships and the nonviolent activists.
Responding to the decision, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that “it regrets the decision.”
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yigal Palmor, said that the activists on the Freedom Flotilla “support terror and have nothing to do with human rights.”
Turkey, the homeland of most of the slain and wounded activists, strongly denounced the Israeli attack and canceled a joint military exercise with Israel.
On Tuesday, Nicaragua suspended its ties with Israel, and issued a statement slamming what it called the illegal nature of the Israeli attack.
It is worth mentioning that the United Nations called for an impartial investigation into the attack that was carried out by Israel in international waters. Israel rejected the decision and said that it will not cooperate with the investigation.
Several Israeli ministers even went on to say that the nonviolent activists “support terrorism.” Israel claimed that the ships carried weapons while its own search the ships after towing them to Ashdod Port failed to locate any of the claimed weapons.
