South Africa Orders Israeli Diplomat to Leave Amid Deepening Rift Over Gaza War
CAPE TOWN — In a sharp escalation of diplomatic hostilities, South Africa on Friday ordered the expulsion of Israel's most senior diplomat in the country, charging that repeated insults against President Cyril Ramaphosa on official Israeli social media accounts and a failure to follow diplomatic protocols had crossed a line.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said it had declared Ariel Seidman, Israel's chargé d'affaires, persona non grata and given him 72 hours to leave. The ministry accused Israel of "a deliberate failure" to notify South Africa of official visits, calling the pattern of behavior "unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practices."
Seidman has been Israel's top envoy in Pretoria since Ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky was recalled in November 2023, as relations soured over South Africa's outspoken criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
The expulsion marks a new low in a relationship that has been in free fall for months. In January, South Africa launched a landmark case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide in Gaza—a charge Israel vehemently denies, calling the case a "distortion" and accusing Pretoria of acting as "the legal arm of Hamas."
Analysts see Friday's move as a calculated response, reflecting South Africa's long-standing solidarity with the Palestinian cause and its willingness to leverage diplomatic tools to pressure Israel. "This isn't just about a social media post," said Thandiwe Nkosi, a professor of international relations at the University of Johannesburg. "It's a symbolic assertion of sovereignty and a message that South Africa will not tolerate what it perceives as disrespect and procedural disregard, especially amid the highly charged ICJ proceedings."
The decision is likely to draw a stern response from Israel and could further strain South Africa's ties with key Western allies, particularly the United States. The Trump administration has previously criticized South Africa's foreign policy as "anti-American," and this expulsion may deepen the diplomatic chill with Washington.
Reaction & Analysis:
"This is a necessary and principled stand. When a foreign government uses its official channels to personally insult our head of state and flout basic diplomatic courtesy, it forfeits the right to normal relations. It's about respect." — David Mbeki, Political Analyst, Cape Town
"A reckless overreaction that plays into domestic politics. It punishes dialogue when dialogue is most needed. This will only isolate South Africa further from key partners and undermine any potential role as a mediator." — Sarah Cohen, Senior Fellow, Global Diplomacy Institute
"Finally! This regime has been mocking international law and human dignity for months. Expelling a diplomat is the bare minimum. South Africa must go further—cut all ties, impose sanctions. Why are we still entertaining relations with a state accused of genocide?" — Marcus Johnson, Activist & Writer
"A significant but risky gambit. It solidifies South Africa's leadership in the Global South on the Palestine issue but could have real economic and political costs. The U.S. Congress is already reviewing trade benefits. This might accelerate that." — Priya Sharma, Economist & Foreign Policy Advisor