South Africa and Israel Expel Each Other’s Ambassadors Amid Escalating Diplomatic Crisis

South Africa on Friday declared the Israeli ambassador to the country, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours. The South African Foreign Ministry accused Seidman of “unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and procedures,” marking a sharp escalation in already strained relations between the two countries.

In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced it would expel South Africa’s diplomatic representative in Israel, Sean Edward Bienveldt, who was also instructed to leave within 72 hours. The Israeli statement cited what it described as “false attacks against Israel in the international arena” and condemned South Africa’s move as a “unilateral and hostile step.”

Alleged Violations of Diplomatic Norms

According to South Africa’s Foreign Ministry, the decision followed a series of alleged actions by the Israeli ambassador that it said violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. These included what the ministry described as repeated use of Israel’s official social media channels to publish insulting remarks directed at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The ministry also accused Seidman of deliberately failing to notify South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation of purported visits by senior Israeli officials. “South Africa’s sovereignty and respect for its institutions cannot be violated,” the statement said.

Diplomatic Missions to Remain Open

Despite the reciprocal expulsions, diplomatic missions in both countries are not expected to close entirely. A source in Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the embassies would continue to operate at a significantly reduced level.

This arrangement is expected to allow for limited diplomatic engagement, including the continued presence of South African representatives in Ramallah, according to the source.

Dispute Linked to Digital Diplomacy Activities

Israeli officials suggested that the South African decision may be linked to the activities of David Saranga, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Digital Diplomacy Division, who was sent to South Africa on behalf of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

During his visit, Saranga met with King Zwelibenzi of the Thembu nation and discussed potential Israeli assistance in water management, healthcare, and agriculture. Saranga also helped coordinate a visit by the king to Israel last year, during which he met President Isaac Herzog.

A senior Israeli Foreign Ministry source denied that Israel had published insulting posts targeting South Africa or its leadership, adding that “the ruling party did not welcome the king’s rapprochement with Israel.”

Background: Gaza War and Diplomatic Breakdown

Relations between Israel and South Africa have deteriorated sharply since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. In November 2023, South Africa recalled its ambassador from Israel, accusing Israel of committing “genocide in the Gaza Strip.”

At the time, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said the government was “extremely concerned about the ongoing killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories” and described Israel’s actions as “collective punishment.” Israel responded by recalling its own ambassador from South Africa.

Since then, South Africa has taken an increasingly confrontational stance toward Israel in international forums, while Israel has accused Pretoria of politicizing the conflict and promoting what it calls false narratives.

Relations at a Historic Low

The latest expulsions mark one of the most severe diplomatic confrontations between Israel and South Africa in decades. While both sides have left the door open for limited diplomatic engagement, the mutual expulsions underscore the depth of the rift and suggest that a normalization of relations is unlikely in the near term.