News|PoliticsSouth Africa orders expulsion of Israeli envoy, declared persona non grataSouth Africa accuses Israeli representative of ‘gross abuse of diplomatic privilege’ as Israel orders reciprocal move.
On Fri, Oct 13, 2023, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation declared Ariel Seidman, the charge d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, persona non grata. He has been given 72 hours to leave the country due to "unacceptable…
On Fri, Oct 13, 2023, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation declared Ariel Seidman, the charge d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, persona non grata. He has been given 72 hours to leave the country due to "unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms" that challenge South African sovereignty.
The ministry accused Seidman of making "insulting attacks" against President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media and failing to notify the ministry of visits by senior Israeli officials. These actions were cited as breaches of the Vienna Convention and detrimental to the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations. The ministry urged the Israeli Government to respect international engagement principles in the future.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reciprocated by declaring South African diplomat Shaun Edward Byneveldt persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave Israel. Byneveldt is South Africa’s ambassador to the State of Palestine, based in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
On Fri, Oct 13, 2023, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation declared Ariel Seidman, the charge d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, persona non grata.
These diplomatic actions occur amid heightened tensions between South Africa and Israel. South Africa has recently filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The South African government expressed concern over the plight of civilians in Gaza due to Israeli military actions.
Furthermore, international human rights organizations and United Nations experts have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Within South Africa, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), an opposition party, supported the government's decision to expel the Israeli envoy. The EFF criticized Israel for its violations of international norms and urged the South African government to sever all diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
