Pro-Palestinian demonstrators raise their fists while observing a minute of silence in honor of victims during a demonstration outside the venue where the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) meeting will be held at the NASREC center in Johannesburg, South Africa on Nov 4, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

A senior South African official said Monday that the country's Cabinet has decided to recall its diplomats in Israel for further consultations on the situation in Gaza.

ALSO READ: Bolivia severs ties with Israel, others recall envoys over Gaza

Ntshavheni said South Africa is disappointed with Israel's continued bombing of schools and clinics in Gaza and the closure of humanitarian passages

"The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation. The recall for consultation is a serious signal that South Africa takes a very dim view of the situation that is permeating in that part of the world," said Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the Presidency, at a media briefing.

READ MORE: Israeli PM suspends minister over Gaza nuclear comment

Ntshavheni said South Africa is disappointed with Israel's continued bombing of schools and clinics in Gaza and the closure of humanitarian passages.

"Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and genocide of the Israeli government. The position of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa is becoming very untenable and Cabinet has decided to instruct the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to take the necessary measures within the diplomatic channels and protocols to deal with the conduct of the ambassador of Israel to South Africa," Ntshavheni said.

People flee following Israeli air strikes on a neighborhood in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Nov 6, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

11 councillors quit UK Labour Party 

The leader of Burnley Council and 10 other councilors have resigned from the Labour Party of the United Kingdom (UK) over party leader Keir Starmer's decision not to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Afrasiab Anwar and other councilors said Starmer had indicated he "does not value the voice of the grassroots of the party," citing remarks the leader of the UK's main opposition party made on Friday

In a statement issued on Sunday, Afrasiab Anwar and other councilors said Starmer had indicated he "does not value the voice of the grassroots of the party," citing remarks the leader of the UK's main opposition party made on Friday.

READ MORE: UK temporarily withdraws some embassy staff from Lebanon

Starmer said his focus was on stopping the suffering in Gaza, not on the "individual positions" of party members.

"Regrettably, after exhausting every available option, we have arrived at the conclusion that the current party stance on Palestine does not align with the values we hold dear," the councilors said in a joint statement.

READ MORE: Israel strikes ambulances in Gaza as top US diplomat pays visit

"Consequently, we have collectively decided to resign from the Labour Party with immediate effect, feeling that our place within the party is untenable given its present position," the statement read.

 Their move brings the number of councilors who have resigned from Labour to 50, according to a tally by Sky News.