South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has blasted Israel’s spokesperson for accusing her government of “representing the interests of Hamas terrorist organization”.
In response Ms Pandor says the insults are the last resort of a scoundrel”.
Ms Pandor, who is in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to attend the African Union summit, said the international community had a responsibility to bring the Israel-Gaza conflict to an end.
Relations between Israel and South Africa have been tense since South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza – a charge it has rejected.
Relations between Israel and South Africa have been tense since South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza – a charge it has rejected.
The ICJ ruled that Israel should do everything in its power to avoid killing Palestinians and they should address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Following the order, South Africa made an urgent request to the ICJ to consider whether Israel risks breaching the court orders.