In Tit-For-Tat Move, Israel Expels South African Envoy As Tensions Soar

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 20:23 IST

Earlier, South Africa declared Ariel Seidman, the most senior Israeli diplomat in Pretoria, persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. (AFP file photos)

Israel on Friday expelled South Africa’s charge d’affaires in a reciprocal move, following Pretoria’s decision to declare Israel’s top diplomat persona non grata. Israel said that South African minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt must leave the country within 72 hours.

The Israeli foreign ministry framed its expulsion of the South African envoy as a direct response to Pretoria’s actions, calling them as “baseless" and in violation of diplomatic norms

In a statement posted on X, the ministry shared, “Following South Africa’s false attacks against Israel in the international arena and the unilateral, baseless step taken against the Chargé d’Affaires of Israel in South Africa – that South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative, Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, is persona non grata and must leave Israel within 72 hours."

Earlier in the day, South Africa’s foreign ministry declared Ariel Seidman, the most senior Israeli diplomat in Pretoria, persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to depart.

The ministry cited a “series of violations" by the Israeli embassy, including repeated social media posts insulting President Cyril Ramaphosa and failing to inform authorities of visits by senior Israeli officials.

“This decisive measure follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty," the ministry said. It also criticised a recent Israeli delegation visit to Eastern Cape province, which offered water, healthcare, and agriculture expertise, as a breach of protocol.

The spat comes amid already strained relations between the two nations. South Africa has long been critical of Israel and in 2023 filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arguing that Israel’s war on Gaza, following Hamas attacks in October 2023, amounted to genocide.

Pretoria hosts the largest Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa but remains a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world In Tit-For-Tat Move, Israel Expels South African Envoy As Tensions Soar

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