Pretoria – South Africa has declared Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 24 hours.
Announcing the move on Friday, 30 January 2026, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said it has informed the Government of the State of Israel of its decision to declare Seidman 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,” explained department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.
“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.”
Phiri said South Africa’s sovereignty and the dignity of its offices are inviolable.
“Mr Seidman is required to depart from the Republic within 72 hours,” the spokesperson announced.
“We urge the Israeli Government to ensure its future diplomatic conduct demonstrates respect for the Republic and the established principles of international engagement.”
Israel’s response to South Africa declaring Seidman persona non grata was a swift reciprocal expulsion.
In direct retaliation, Israel declared South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative—Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt (South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, based in Ramallah)—persona non grata.
Israel ordered him to leave Israel within 72 hours as well.
