South Africa declares Israeli top envoy persona non grata, ordering him to leave

South Africa has declared the Israeli regime’s top envoy persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours. 

This decision comes amid strained relations between the two sides over the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza.

In a statement released on Friday, South Africa’s foreign ministry announced that Ariel Seidman had been "declared persona non grata" and was required to depart within 72 hours.

“This decisive measure follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms that challenge South Africa’s sovereignty,” the ministry stated.

The envoy was expelled for violating diplomatic protocols, including making insulting remarks about South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The ministry highlighted the envoy's use of official Israeli social media platforms to attack President Ramaphosa and noted a "deliberate failure" by the embassy to inform the foreign ministry about visits from senior Israeli officials.

"Such actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention, undermining trust essential for bilateral relations," it added.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane criticized the Israeli embassy’s engagements with provincial institutions, asserting that unapproved visits and donations violated diplomatic protocols and undermined South Africa’s sovereignty.

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He said foreign relations must be conducted through established national channels and directed the provincial health department to investigate how donations were accepted without proper authorization.

This followed an Israeli delegation's visit to South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, during which they offered assistance in water, healthcare, and agriculture. This visit was also seen as a breach of diplomatic protocol.

South Africa has a contentious relationship with Israel, being a vocal critic of its brutal war in Gaza and presenting a case to the UN's top court in December 2023, arguing that the war in the Palestinian territories amounted to genocide.

Pressure escalating on South Africa to break off ties with Israel, expel diplomats

South African officials are under increasing pressure to cut relations with Israel and remove Israeli diplomats.

In recent months, officials have faced increasing pressure to sever ties with Israel and expel its diplomats due to rising public anger over its genocide in Gaza. Activists are urging the government to take a firmer stance against the Zionist regime.

Many South Africans have expressed disappointment over President Ramaphosa’s decision to ignore parliament’s resolution from November 2023 to cut relations with Israel.

Despite a ceasefire being implemented in October, Israeli forces have continued sporadic bombings in Gaza, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties in recent weeks.

More than 80% of structures have been destroyed, leaving vast areas of the territory uninhabitable, a situation expected to worsen with winter. Incoming aid remains slow and inadequate.

Meanwhile, reacting to the African country's decision, the Israeli regime announced on Friday that South Africa's senior diplomatic representative "is persona non grata and must leave Israel within 72 hours".

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