In an ongoing South Africa-Israel diplomatic crisis, South Africa announced on Friday that it had declared Israel’s top envoy in the country, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata. The government cited repeated breaches of diplomatic protocol and what it described as inappropriate conduct.
In a statement, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the Israeli mission used official social media platforms to publish “insulting and provocative statements” directed at Cyril Ramaphosa. The department also accused the Israeli embassy of failing to notify South African authorities of visits by Israeli officials, alleging a violation of diplomatic norms under the Vienna Convention.
Both sides gave the affected diplomats 72 hours to leave their host countries.
Israel responded swiftly by announcing it would expel South Africa’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv, Shaun Edward Byneveldt.
The Israeli foreign ministry said the decision was retaliation for what it described as South Africa’s “hostile political campaign” against Israel in international forums.
South Africa-Israel diplomatic crisis escalated Since the Gaza War
The expulsions reflect a steady deterioration in relations since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on southern Israel. Israeli authorities say the attack killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages.
South Africa has emerged as one of Israel’s most vocal critics, repeatedly comparing Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories to apartheid-era South Africa. Israel strongly rejects the comparison.
DONT MISS THIS: Trump Confronts Ramaphosa With Controversial “White Genocide” Claims in Tense Oval Office Meeting
In late 2023, Pretoria recalled its ambassador from Israel, leaving Seidman as the most senior Israeli representative in the country. Around the same time, South African lawmakers voted in favour of closing Israel’s embassy, though the executive branch stopped short of implementing the decision.
Tensions escalated further after South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has denied the allegation, describing the case as politically motivated and legally unsound.
The war has taken a severe humanitarian toll. Palestinian officials say more than 71,000 people have been killed, alongside widespread displacement and shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Israel maintains that its military operations comply with international law and target Hamas rather than civilians.
Social Media Becomes a Diplomatic Flashpoint
One of the key triggers in the current South Africa-Israel diplomatic crisis has been public messaging by the Israeli embassy. In a recent post, the mission criticised South Africa’s ICJ case as a waste of public funds and dismissed it as “political theatre”.
Analysts say such messaging crossed a diplomatic line. Ofentse Davhie, a researcher at the Centrefor Risk Analysis, said the public tone hardened Pretoria’s position.
“For South Africa, this moved beyond disagreement into what it saw as disrespect and interference,” he said.
South Africa’s legal challenge has attracted support from dozens of countries, international organisations, and human rights groups. However, it has also strained relations with the United States.
Last year, Donald Trump cited South Africa’s ICJ action as one reason for freezing certain forms of US aid. Leo Brent Bozell, expected to assume the role of US ambassador to South Africa, has indicated that persuading Pretoria to abandon the case will be a priority.
For now, diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel remain at their lowest point in years. With both governments doubling down on their positions, there are few signs that either side is prepared to step back from confrontation.
