[Al Jazeera] Turkey has recalled its ambassadors to Israel and the United States following the killing of dozens of Palestinian protesters by Israeli forces amid the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.The diplomats, currently stationed in Washington, DC and Tel Aviv, will return to Turkey for "consultations", Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Monday, adding that three days of national mourning had been declared in solidarity with Palestine.
Ankara also called for an emergency summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to be held this week - possibly on Friday - and a UN General Assembly meeting over Israel's use of force, Bozdag added.
The move came just hours after Israeli forces fired live ammunition, tear gas and firebombs at Palestinians protesting along the coastal enclave's fence with Israel, killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 2,700 others.
South Africa also recalled its ambassador to Israel on Monday.
"Given the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack, the South African government has taken a decision to recall Ambassador Sisa Ngombane with immediate effect until further notice," South Africa's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The victims were taking part in a peaceful protest against the provocative inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem," it said, condemning "violent aggression carried out by Israeli armed forces".
| A number of countries recalled their ambassadors — either they’ll get over it or they won’t. But according to An Nahar, opening and closing embassies in Jerusalem is a game that has been played over decades. |