South Africa Expels Israel’s Top Diplomat, Deepening a Diplomatic Rift

Pretoria — South Africa has declared Israel’s chargé d’affaires in Pretoria persona non grata and given him 72 hours to leave the country, in a move that marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two governments.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said Friday that Ariel Seidman, who has been the senior Israeli diplomatic representative in South Africa since Israel withdrew its ambassador in 2023, was being expelled for repeated breaches of diplomatic norms and practice.

In its statement, DIRCO accused Seidman of using official Israeli social media accounts to publish “insulting attacks” on President Cyril Ramaphosa and failing to notify South African authorities of visits by senior Israeli officials, actions it described as a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty and a breach of the Vienna Convention, which governs diplomatic relations.

“Such actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege,” the department said, adding that they had “systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations.”

The decision has drawn support domestically. The chairperson of South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation endorsed the government’s action, saying it aligned with long-standing concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and respected South Africa’s sovereign rights.

The ruling African National Congress also welcomed the declaration, framing it as a defence of diplomatic protocol and national dignity.

Tit-for-Tat Retaliation from Israel

Jerusalem responded swiftly. Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared Shaun Edward Byneveldt, South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative in Ramallah, persona non grata and gave him 72 hours to depart.

The ministry said South Africa’s decision was “unilateral” and “baseless,” and accused Pretoria of making false attacks against Israel on the international stage.

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The reciprocal expulsions underscore how strained relations between the two countries have become in recent years. South Africa has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, bringing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of violating the Genocide Convention. Israel has strongly rejected those allegations as unfounded.

Broader Diplomatic Fallout

The expulsions add to a broader diplomatic fallout that has already complicated South Africa’s relationships with allies and rivals alike. In previous months, Pretoria’s stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza contributed to heightened tensions with the United States, with Washington warning of consequences for South Africa’s foreign policy direction.

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Inside South Africa, opinions on the rapid escalation are mixed. Supporters of the government’s stance say it’s consistent with the country’s historical commitment to anti-colonialism and human rights, particularly for Palestinians. Critics argue the move could further isolate South Africa diplomatically and hamper pragmatic engagement.

Both diplomats are expected to depart their host countries within 72 hours, according to official directives. How far this dispute will ripple through wider diplomatic networks in Africa and beyond is unclear, but analysts say it reflects deep divisions over the war in Gaza and differing interpretations of diplomatic conduct.