South Africa recalls envoy in show of protest

Pretoria: South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel on Thursday in the latest of a mounting cascade of diplomatic rebukes to Israel over its killing of nine pro-Palestinian activists aboard a ship seeking to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

South Africa has now joined that chorus. An official at the Ministry for International Affairs said that South Africa would call back Ambassador Ishmael Coovadia "for consultations," a statement of protest just one step short of a full breakdown in diplomatic relations.

Turkey and Ecuador have also recalled their ambassadors.

"As of today, the government has decided to recall its ambassador for consultations," said Mahlatse Mminele, spokesman for the Ministry of International Affairs. "It is the strongest possible form of protest."

South Africa also delivered a stern demarche to Israeli Ambassador Dov Sergev-Steinberg. A demarche is the diplomatic equivalent of calling a student to the principal's office and a statement by South Africa's Ministry of International Relations said that South Africa expressed outrage over Israel's "unjustified military action and resultant loss of life inflicted by Israel on the Freedom Flotilla, carrying humanitarian relief supplies to Gaza."

Given its long struggle against apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) that now rules South Africa would appear a natural advocate for human rights and oppressed peoples. But political scientist Steven Friedman says the past 15 years of ANC government have favoured pragmatism over idealism.