Africa declares the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation announces.
The decision targets Ariel Seidman, citing repeated violations of diplomatic norms that the government says directly challenge South Africa’s sovereignty. Authorities point to what they describe as insulting attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa via official Israeli social media platforms, as well as failures to notify DIRCO of visits by senior Israeli officials.
The department says the conduct represents a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention, undermining trust and established protocols essential for bilateral relations.
South Africa emphasises that its sovereignty and the dignity of its institutions are inviolable and urges Israel to ensure future diplomatic engagement respects international standards and established diplomatic practice.
Erizia Rubyjeana
