In brief
In a move reflecting the escalating tensions between South Africa and Israel, the South African government has expelled Ariel Seidman, the top Israeli diplomat in the country, citing his repeated violations of diplomatic protocol, including making insulting remarks about President Cyril Ramaphosa and unauthorized engagements with South African officials. The Israeli embassy has been sought for comment amidst these developments.
South Africa has expelled Israel's top diplomat in the country for violating diplomatic norms, including making insulting remarks against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ariel Seidman, chargé d'affaires at the Israeli embassy, has been declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country, according to South Africa's foreign ministry. He has been accused of using official social media platforms to attack Ramaphosa and inviting Israeli officials to South Africa without permission.Relations between the two countries have been frosty since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice, a charge Israel has rejected. The BBC reached out to the Israeli embassy in Pretoria for comment, but currently, Israel does not have an ambassador in the country. Announcing Seidman's expulsion, South Africa's foreign affairs ministry stated that his actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege. Seidman was appointed as chargé d'affaires in South Africa last year, with his responsibilities also extending to neighboring countries including Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia.
