South Africa And Chad Latest Pulling Ambassadors From Israel — Joining These 7 Other Countries

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a spokesperson for South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the country “decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv,” citing Ramaphosa’s cabinet’s “disappoint[ment] by the refusal of the Israeli government to respect international law and the United Nations resolutions with impunity.”

Human rights experts have said attacks by Israel and Hamas on civilians have likely violated international law, while the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory stated last month that “there is already clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed.”

Chad also recalled its ambassador in Israel on Monday, issuing a statement condemning the “loss of numerous innocent civilians and calls for a ceasefire for a durable solution to the Palestinian issue.”

Turkey recalled ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, according to a statement from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday morning, calling out Israel for an “unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza” after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “no longer someone we can talk to,” though Erdogan acknowledged: “complete disconnection is not possible, especially in international diplomacy.”

More than 10,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, the majority being women and minors, according to the Associated Press, citing the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, many of whom were civilians killed in Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which started the ongoing war.

Honduras on Friday also recalled its ambassador Roberto Martinez “amid the grave humanitarian situation” in Gaza, the country’s Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said on X, formerly known as Twitter, becoming the latest Latin American country to cut diplomatic ties with Israel.

Bahrain’s Parliament said Thursday the Middle Eastern country had suspended its economic ties with Israel and recalled its ambassador, while Israel’s ambassador in Bahrain was also sent back to Israel, though Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed it had not been notified of the decision, calling relations between the two countries “stable,” multiple outlets reported.

Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, recalled its ambassador and ordered Israel’s ambassador in Jordan not to return to the country, its Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday in a statement on X, accusing Israel of “killing innocent people” and “causing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” with “dangerous possibilities for its expansion.”

Bolivia also broke ties with Israel on Wednesday, with Bolivia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani condemning the “aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive” in Gaza, according to multiple translations.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced Tuesday the country had recalled ambassador Margarita Manjarrez, with Petro also calling for a cease-fire in the conflict.

Chile also brought back its ambassador from Israel on Tuesday, with its Foreign Affairs Ministry issuing a statement saying it “strongly condemns” Israel’s military operations, calling it a “great concern” and arguing Israel’s operations in Gaza equate to “collective punishment.”