South Africa says it will issue 'demarche' to Israeli Ambassador

Protesters gather and hold Palestinian flags in central Johannesburg, on May 23, 2021, as they take part in a counter protest in response to a demonstration organised by the South Africa Zionist Federation. [MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images]

South Africa is in the process of issuing a “demarche” to Israeli Ambassador, Eliav Belotsercovsky, the Director-General of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Zane Dangor, said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

“The demarche will be asked for hopefully by today. Not sure when he will come in,” Dangor told Reuters in a text message, without giving further details.

Earlier this week South Africa recalled its diplomats from Israel to assess its relationship with the country, amid a rise in civilian casualties from its war with the Palestinian group, Hamas.

South Africa has long been an advocate for peace in the Middle East and has rallied behind Palestinians, likening their plight to its own, under an apartheid regime that ended in 1994.

READ: South Africa recalls all its diplomats from Israel over Gaza ‘genocide’

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