PRETORIA, May (ANA) - The South African government on Monday, withdrew its representative in Israel after the deadly attacks in which Israeli forces killed at least 40 Palestinians along the Gaza border.
"Given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African government has taken a decision to recall Ambassador Sisa Ngombane with immediate effect until further notice," said South Africa's department of international relations and cooperation.
"The South African government condemns in the strongest terms possible the latest act of violent aggression carried out by Israeli armed forces along the Gaza border, which has led to the deaths of over 40 civilians. The victims were taking part in a peaceful protest against the provocative inauguration of the US [United States of America] embassy in Jerusalem."
Palestinian officials say at least 52 people have been killed in the latest round of protests.
At least 1,700 Palestinian demonstrators were reportedly wounded on Monday along the border fence with Gaza as the mass protests that began on March 30, and that had already left dozens dead erupted anew.
The protests took place as the United States Embassy was formally relocated to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, on the 70th anniversary of the formation of Israel. The formality and celebration created an almost surreal contrast to the violence raging barely 40 miles away.
- African News Agency (ANA)
