What does it mean for nine countries to recall their diplomats in Israel？ Expert explanation

Cctv news(Reporter/Du Anqi): According to Agence France-Presse, the minister of the South African presidential office announced on November 6 local time that the South African cabinet had decided to recall all diplomats from Israel. At the press conference that day, the Minister expressed South Africa’s disappointment at the continued Israeli bombing of schools, hospitals and civilians in the Gaza and the closure of humanitarian passages.

According to previous reports, eight countries, including Chad, Turkey, Honduras, Bahrain, Jordan, Chile, Colombia and Bolivia, have announced the recall of their diplomats in Israel since this round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This resolution of the South African cabinet may make South Africa the ninth country to recall senior diplomats from Israel.

Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Studies of Renmin University of China and director of the Institute of International Affairs, believes that recalling an ambassador or diplomat in Israel is a serious protest against Israel’s actions and is also putting further pressure on Israel. Since the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the recall of senior diplomats in Israel by these countries may form a protest against Israel’s disregard of international law and UN resolutions at the global level.

"News+"reporter: What does it mean to recall diplomats?

Wang YiweiThis means that the relationship between the two countries is tense and there is even the risk of demotion. In international diplomacy, if a country is dissatisfied with an event, generally speaking, it will first publicly express regret, protest or opposition; If the degree is more serious, it will express fierce opposition or strong protest. But this is all verbal and no substantive action has been taken. If it is a more serious situation, practical action has been taken, that is, recalling diplomats.

The highest-level recall of diplomats is the recall of ambassadors in their countries. Recalling the ambassador means "I don’t want to talk to you", which proves that the door to diplomatic negotiations has been closed. Because the ambassador abroad, also known as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, his words and deeds represent the position of the country and the will of the head of state. Ambassadors abroad can directly communicate with the government of their country on behalf of the head of state.

However, if the foreign ambassadors are recalled, it means that there is no such direct communication channel, and there is no way for countries to directly authorize and communicate through representatives. Then some daily and urgent tasks can only be handled by temporary agents. The agent can’t do diplomatic negotiations on behalf of the country, but can only handle the daily work of some embassies. If the two countries are negotiating, such as a free trade agreement or some new projects, there is no way to implement it after recalling the ambassador, but to maintain the status quo.

In addition, generally speaking, after recalling a diplomat, the other side will also take corresponding countermeasures. If the other side retaliates and recalls the ambassador stationed in the country, then the two countries lack direct communication channels and can only convey them through a third party, so communication is more troublesome. The relationship between the two countries may get worse, and if the stalemate continues further, it may break off diplomatic relations.

"News+"reporter: The recall of diplomats protested. How did this international practice come into being?

Wang YiweiThe tradition of ambassadors abroad comes from Europe. In the past, European countries sent ambassadors to each other as representatives of kings or monarchs. However, these diplomats are mainly court diplomacy and secret diplomacy, which is not diplomacy in the modern sense.

Ambassadors abroad in the sense of modern diplomacy were formed when the Westphalia system was established in 1648. This system has established the tradition of sending ambassadors among countries and Switzerland as a permanent neutral country. According to international law, diplomats, especially ambassadors abroad, are protected by international diplomatic treaties, especially the Vienna Convention. Ambassadors and diplomats abroad have certain immunity, and the embassy is an extension of the sovereignty and territory of the country he represents.