South Africa has expelled Israel's top diplomat in the country for "violating diplomatic norms", a move that prompted Israel to kick out a South African envoy in retaliation.
The diplomatic row started when South Africa's foreign affairs ministry declared Ariel Seidman, chargé d'affaires at the Israeli embassy, persona non grata and gave him 72 hours to leave the country.
Hours later, Israel announced similar action against South Africa's representative in t
hat country, Shaun Edward Byneveldt.Relations between the two countries have been frosty since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a charge Israel has rejected.
South Africa accused Seidman of using official social media platforms to attack Ramaphosa and inviting Israeli officials to the country without permission.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgn8ejljqwo
Israeli Chargé d’Affaires Declared Persona Non Grata
30 January 2026
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has informed the Government of the State of Israel of its decision to declare Mr Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, persona non grata.
This decisive measure follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty. These violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, and a deliberate failure to inform DIRCO of purported visits by senior Israeli officials.
Such actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention. They have systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations.
South Africa’s sovereignty and the dignity of its offices are inviolable. Mr Seidman is required to depart from the Republic within 72 hours.
We urge the Israeli Government to ensure its future diplomatic conduct demonstrates respect for the Republic and the established principles of international engagement.
Enquiries: Mr Chrispin Phiri, Ministry Spokesperson
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
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Department of International Relations And Co-operation, Republic of South Africa
Israel reciprocates
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar decided - following South Africa’s false attacks against Israel in the international arena and the unilateral, baseless step taken against the Chargé d’Affaires of Israel in South Africa - that South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative, Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, is persona non grata and must leave Israel within 72 hours.
Additional steps will be considered in due course.
Israel Foreign Ministry
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