The envoy was recalled in May in protest against the killing of more than 40 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli security forces.

Palestinian support groups expressed outrage when they learned that South Africa’s Ambassador to Tel Aviv Sisa Ngombane was back in Israel. He would leave as soon as this was done.

The Department of International Relations and co-operation quickly reacted, saying Ngombane had gone to TelAviv to tend to private family business.

It said the reasons for his recall remain relevant and any return would be properly announced.

The South African Government is under pressure to implement the decision taken by the ruling African National Congress last December to downgrade relations with Israel.

The post SA has not returned its ambassador to Israel appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.