South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat Over Diplomatic Violations

Mon Feb 02 2026 17:27:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant diplomatic move, South Africa has expelled Ariel Seidman, Israel's chargé d'affaires, following his controversial remarks and alleged violations of diplomatic conduct.

South Africa has declared Ariel Seidman, the Israeli chargé d'affaires, as persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country due to insults directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa and unauthorized actions regarding Israeli diplomatic matters. This expulsion follows a tense relationship exacerbated by South Africa's accusations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, a claim Israel vehemently denies.

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 prior permission.

Relations between the two countries have been strained since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice, a charge Israel has rejected.

The BBC has reached out to the Israeli embassy in Pretoria for comment. Israel currently does not have an ambassador in the country.

In 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 at Israel's embassy in South Africa last year, with responsibilities also extending to neighboring countries including Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia.