South Africa and Israel Expel Senior Diplomats Amid Escalating Tensions

PRETORIA / TEL AVIV — Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel deteriorated sharply on Friday after both countries declared each other’s senior diplomats persona non grata, ordering them to leave within 72 hours in a rare reciprocal escalation.

South Africa announced that it had expelled Israeli chargé d’affaires Ariel Seidman, citing what it described as unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice. In response, Israel immediately expelled South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative, Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, giving him the same deadline to depart.

South Africa Cites Diplomatic Misconduct

According to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the decision to expel Seidman followed repeated concerns over his conduct, including public comments deemed disrespectful to President Cyril Ramaphosa and a failure to follow diplomatic protocols.

The department accused Seidman of making inappropriate remarks on social media and of failing to formally notify South African authorities about visits by senior Israeli officials — actions Pretoria said breached established diplomatic practice.

While the department did not specify which posts triggered the expulsion, attention has focused on a November social media post from the Israeli embassy account that referenced President Ramaphosa in a tone South African officials viewed as sarcastic and inappropriate.

Israel Responds with Reciprocal Expulsion

Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that it had declared South Africa’s representative persona non grata in response, accusing Pretoria of unilateral and baseless actions against Israeli diplomats and of pursuing what it described as false allegations against Israel in international forums.

In a statement, Israel said the move was directly linked to South Africa’s actions at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Pretoria has brought a case accusing Israel of genocide related to its military operations in Gaza — allegations Israel has strongly rejected.

Broader Diplomatic Fallout

Relations between South Africa and Israel have been under strain since late 2023, when South Africa formally initiated the ICJ case. The diplomatic rift has also had wider geopolitical implications, particularly involving the United States, which has openly criticised Pretoria’s stance.

U.S. President Donald Trump has previously accused South Africa of acting against American and allied interests, with tensions contributing to trade-related pressure and the suspension of certain forms of U.S. funding in recent years.

Despite growing hostility, South Africa has not fully severed diplomatic relations with Israel. In 2023, South African lawmakers voted in favour of closing Israel’s embassy in Pretoria and suspending ties over the Gaza conflict, but the resolution was never implemented by the executive.

Calls for Respectful Engagement

Speaking on Newzroom Afrika, DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said South Africa remained committed to diplomatic engagement, provided it is conducted with mutual respect.

“We do hope that the Israeli embassy will engage with us in a respectful manner, and that they will send someone who will uphold diplomacy. That is what we intend to do,” Phiri said.

Uncertain Path Ahead

With both diplomats ordered to leave and no immediate indication of de-escalation, the episode marks one of the lowest points in South Africa–Israel relations in recent decades. It remains unclear whether the two governments will move toward restoring diplomatic dialogue or allow tensions to harden further amid an already volatile international landscape.