South Africa has formally declared Israel’s chargé d’affaires, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country.
The decision was announced on Friday by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), marking a significant escalation in already strained diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Tel Aviv.
In a statement, Dirco said the move followed what it described as repeated breaches of diplomatic protocol and international norms governing diplomatic conduct.
Alleged breaches of diplomatic norms
According to Dirco, Seidman’s conduct included repeated public attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa via social media platforms, as well as a failure to formally notify the department of alleged visits to South Africa by senior Israeli officials.
“Such actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention,” Dirco said.
The department added that the conduct had “systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations”, leaving South Africa with little choice but to take decisive action.
Diplomatic convention generally requires envoys to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of host countries or engaging in public political attacks against elected leaders. South Africa’s government has increasingly signalled intolerance for behaviour it views as incompatible with these principles.
Call for respectful diplomatic engagement
Dirco said South Africa remained committed to the principles of international diplomacy but expected foreign representatives to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established norms.
“We urge the Israeli government to ensure its future diplomatic conduct demonstrates respect for the Republic and the established principles of international engagement,” the department said.
While the statement did not specify whether Israel would appoint a replacement representative, the expulsion further reduces the level of diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Context of strained relations
Relations between South Africa and Israel have deteriorated sharply in recent years, particularly over South Africa’s outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and its strong support for Palestinian self-determination. Pretoria has repeatedly framed its position as rooted in international law and human rights obligations.
The declaration of a diplomat as persona non grata is one of the strongest diplomatic measures available short of severing ties entirely. While not unprecedented, it signals deep dissatisfaction with conduct viewed as crossing diplomatic red lines.
What happens next
Under international practice, Seidman is required to depart South Africa within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to do so could result in the withdrawal of diplomatic privileges and immunities.
The Israeli government has not yet publicly responded to South Africa’s decision. Any retaliatory measures or diplomatic response could further shape the trajectory of relations between the two states.
For now, the move underscores South Africa’s willingness to enforce diplomatic standards it believes have been violated, even when doing so carries significant political and international consequences.
