Israeli ambassador to South Africa Eliav Belotserkovsky has mellowed somewhat after he received a tongue-lashing from Pretoria for “unfortunate conduct” in the form of comments he made about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) director-general Zane Dangor summoned the ambassador on Friday to issue him with a démarche, or formal reprimand through diplomatic channels, and remind him he was a visitor in South Africa.
“Ambassador Belotserkovsky is called upon to conduct himself in line with the Vienna Conventions, which accord heads of diplomatic missions certain privileges and responsibilities, key among which is to recognise the sovereign decisions of the host nation.”
Dangor joined minister of international relations Naledi Pandor’s call for the International Criminal Court to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes.
Belotserkovsky confirmed meeting with Dangor, but would not be drawn on the démarche, South Africa’s decision to recall its diplomats from Tel Aviv, Pandor’s call for the arrest of Netanyahu, or his own expulsion from the country.
It is lamentable that Dirco has chosen to side so openly with an antisemitic cult movement that is responsible for the rape, murder and abduction of hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians
— Rowan Polovin, SA Zionist Federation
“It’s true they called me and there was a meeting, but I would prefer not to comment on the decisions of the South African government or what the political parties have said.”
He told the Sunday Times he was not aware of the utterances he made that have strained relations between the two countries.
“I am not sure what these comments are, but I am not in a position to judge or comment on how South Africa has responded towards me. They have their position, and they have responded. I would prefer not to comment on decisions and statements [made by the South African government].”
This week, Pandor said she had not tabled before cabinet a proposal to have the ambassador expelled.
She said Belotserkovsky had made comments similar to allegations by US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety, who claimed in May that South Africa had supplied Russia with arms by means of the Lady R cargo vessel.
The claim was later dismissed after an investigation led by a judge.
Despite the tensions, Belotserkovsky remains positive about relations between Israel and South Africa.
“I have been here for about two years now, and I think my task has always been to improve the relations and strengthen the dialogue between South Africa and Israel. We have good relations in terms of tourism and the economy, with about $400m (R7.5bn) in trade.”
He believes the two countries can still mend their relationship. “I am sure that we can have a very positive dialogue, even if we don’t agree on everything, and I think it is very important to talk.
“We are always open for dialogue and discussions, be it through phone calls, visits or meetings. We are always in favour of talking to each other. It’s important to have a dialogue.”
Though Israel has not reached out to South Africa as Hamas did, the ambassador said his country welcomed efforts that could resolve the current conflict. “We are open to [speaking to or engaging with] anyone who can offer a positive and constructive contribution to the current situation.”
On the war that broke out on October 7, Belotserkovsky said: “The Hamas terrorist organisation attacked in a very unprovoked manner. It was a brutal, massive and savage attack on the civilian population in the south of Israel. Old people, children, and whole families were slaughtered in a despicable manner, and young people were killed at a party, so we have suffered a terrible and massive attack.
“In addition to this, we are suffering every day with missiles launched by Hamas. Since October 7 until now, about 10,000 missiles have been fired indiscriminately at [Israeli] cities, towns and villages. We also have 249 hostages kidnapped by Hamas. Some of them are old people that have to take medication and are Holocaust survivors, while the youngest hostage is nine months old.”
Belotserkovsky said Israel had engaged in self-defence, because “we know that if we don’t do it, the Hamas leaders will repeat the attack”. He went on to say: “Our war in Gaza is not against the Palestinian people — it’s not aimed at them at all. It is aimed at Hamas, and we want to dismantle the infrastructure and to eliminate Hamas because they are not ready to live side by side with Israel.”
He said the release of Israeli hostages, the cessation of attacks on Israeli civilians, the permanent dismantling of the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, and the creation of a government in Gaza interested in living side by side with Israel were some of the steps that would need to be taken to end the conflict.
“It’s not a territorial district. Israel withdrew completely from Gaza in 2005, and we don’t aspire for any Gazan territory. We believe that Gaza has to be ruled by the Palestinian people, but it has to live side by side in peace with Israel. That’s all that we want.”
This is the second time South Africa has rebuked an ambassador via a démarche this year. In May, Pandor reprimanded Brigety over allegations he made about the Lady R.
The matter almost led to a diplomatic fallout with the US.
This week, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula led the call to have the Israeli ambassador démarched.
Deputy chair of the ANC’s subcommittee on international relations Obed Bapela said Pandor was obliged to follow international law.
“Unfortunately, the ambassador [went] out in public saying that South Africa hates Israel and Jewish people, and you cannot enter that space as an ambassador. Even if you have an opinion, you don’t go to the media to [express] your opinion.
“We don’t hate Jews and Judaism as a religion — we hate the Zionist doctrine.”
The ambassador should have engaged Pandor directly instead of using megaphone diplomacy. “You don’t go on platforms and start lashing and attacking the government hosting you.
“For now, we are not expelling him. We are just saying: 'Go back home.' Expulsion means we cut ties and close our embassy, and they do the same. Our embassies are still there, but our diplomats are coming back home for consultations.”
He said a ceasefire would allow the parties to negotiate the release of hostages and allow emergency humanitarian aid to reach those in need.
“We will not be starting from scratch because there are [already] resolutions on the table, including [ones for] two states existing independently [and] harmoniously, [as well as ones relating to] the borders of 1967, among [other things].”
Chair of the ANC’s international relations subcommittee Nomvula Mokonyane said deliberations on the matter had been concluded and would form the agenda of a national working committee meeting on Monday.
South African Jewish Board of Deputies director Wendy Kahn slammed the department's decision to démarche the ambassador.
“We find it astounding that Dirco, in its zeal to reprimand ambassador Belotserkovsky for the current war between Israel and Hamas, excludes any form of culpability for the Hamas militants who parachuted into Israel to brutally slaughter 1,400 Israeli civilians on October 7.”
Pro-Israel group the South African Zionist Federation said it was “appalled” by the démarche.
“The department remains detached from the free world and the Middle East’s position against the internationally designated terrorist organisation Hamas. It is lamentable that Dirco has chosen to side so openly with an antisemitic cult movement that is responsible for the rape, murder and abduction of hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians, including women, children and the elderly,” said federation chair Rowan Polovin.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.