South Africa – which voted in favour of the UN resolution on Thursday – through the ruling ANC party announced that it will scale back its embassy in Tel Aviv.
The African nation has been one of Palestine’s staunchest allies as it seeks self-determination.
The United States is reported to have threatened to cut aid to those countries who voted in the United Nations General Assembly against its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
South Africa’s downgrade of its embassy in Tel Aviv is being described by local Israeli media as a diplomatic blow.
The announcement was made at the ruling ANC’s recent National Conference.
The ANC said it adopted the new resolution as a practical expression to the oppressed people of Palestine.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the South African Zionist Federation has responded, saying they felt betrayed.
128 countries voted in favour of the resolution, nine countries – including the U.S. and Israel – objected, while 35 nations abstained.
