South Africa has declared Israel’s chargé d’affaires at its embassy in Pretoria, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 72 hours.
The decision was announced on Friday by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco), citing what it described as serious violations of diplomatic norms.
Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the move followed a series of actions by Seidman that posed a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty.
According to Dirco, the violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to post insulting remarks directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The department also accused Seidman of failing to inform Dirco about alleged visits to South Africa by senior Israeli officials, which it said breached established diplomatic protocols.
Phiri said the actions amounted to an abuse of diplomatic privilege and a violation of the Vienna Convention governing diplomatic relations.
“South Africa’s sovereignty and the dignity of its offices are inviolable,” Phiri said, adding that Seidman is required to depart from the country within 72 hours.
Dirco urged the Israeli government to ensure that its future diplomatic conduct respects South Africa and adheres to international diplomatic standards.
Relations between South Africa and Israel have been strained since the Ramaphosa administration instituted legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its military actions in Gaza, which South Africa has described as genocide.
In 2023, South Africa withdrew its diplomatic staff from Israel in protest against the Gaza conflict. Earlier this month, an Israeli foreign affairs delegation visited the Eastern Cape to meet King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo, following the king’s visit to Jerusalem in December.
