The South African cabinet has not discussed the decision closing the Israeli embassy and it is in no hurry to debate the issue, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni revealed at a press briefing.
"Cabinet has not decided to close the Israeli embassy. We have not had the discussion and remember I had indicated that we are not in a hurry to have that discussion as yet," she said.
She emphasized the separation of powers in South Africa, where each branch is responsible for its own function.
"Parliament can give guidance in terms of those matters that are in the purview of Cabinet and Cabinet will have to decide within its areas, having considered all matters that are at play," Ntshavheni remarked.
On November 21, South Africa's parliament voted to suspend diplomatic relations amid rising tensions between the two countries over Israel's attack on Gaza. The motion was passed with 248 votes in favor and 91 votes against.
The action was presented by the left-wing opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party, supported by the ruling African National Congress (ANC), and opposed by members of the centrist Democratic Alliance.
The ANC has long supported the Palestinian people, drawing parallels between the discrimination they face and the apartheid system the party fought in South Africa.
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said last week that Pretoria is seeking to have Israel declared as an apartheid state and is working with Palestine to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Furthermore, in early November, South Africa announced the withdrawal of all its diplomats in Tel Aviv.
Since the escalation between Israel and Palestine in early October, South Africa, Bahrain, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Turkey, and Jordan have recalled their ambassadors from Israel, with Bolivia and Belize cutting diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired Friday morning, with no official announcement of an extension. The Israel Defense Forces said that Hamas broke the lull in hostilities by opening fire into Israeli territory, and the Israeli military resumed fighting the Palestinian movement in the Gaza Strip.