South Africa and Israel Reciprocally Expel Top Diplomats Amid Escalating Tensions

Diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Tel Aviv reached a new low on January 30, 2026, when South Africa declared Israel's Chargé d'Affaires, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata, ordering his departure within 72 hours. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) cited "unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa's sovereignty" as the justification for the measure. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri specified that the alleged offenses included repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to publish commentary deemed insulting toward President Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside a failure to notify South African authorities regarding visits by senior Israeli officials.

In an immediate and symmetrical response, Israel's Foreign Ministry designated South Africa's senior diplomatic representative, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, as persona non grata, issuing an identical 72-hour ultimatum for his exit. Israel’s statement, released via X, characterized Pretoria's action as a "unilateral, baseless step" following what it termed "false attacks against Israel in the international arena." Seidman was the highest-ranking Israeli diplomat in the country since Israel recalled its ambassador in 2023, while Byneveldt serves as South Africa's representative to Palestine, accredited via the Israeli ministry.

This tit-for-tat expulsion signifies a clear escalation beyond the existing political and legal friction between the two nations. Bilateral ties had already been severely strained since South Africa initiated proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention related to Israel's operations in Gaza. Israel has consistently rejected the ICJ case as without merit; the Court had previously ordered provisional measures in January 2024.

Specific protocol breaches cited by DIRCO reportedly included an Israeli embassy X post from November 2025 that sarcastically addressed President Ramaphosa's comments on the ineffectiveness of "boycott politics," made in reaction to news concerning US President Donald Trump's G20 attendance. Additionally, a recent visit by an Israeli delegation, which included Foreign Ministry official David Saranga, to the Eastern Cape province without prior notification was cited as a breach of established protocol.

The diplomatic severing carries potential geopolitical consequences, particularly in relation to the United States, which has expressed criticism of Pretoria's position on the ICJ case. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott condemned the expulsion, suggesting it prioritized "grievance politics" over South Africa's national interests, and noted the action followed a diplomat's criticism of the African National Congress party's alleged links to Hamas. This move follows a 2023 non-binding parliamentary vote in South Africa to reduce the Israeli embassy to a liaison office following the onset of the Gaza conflict in late 2023.

Analysts suggest this reciprocal action constitutes a freezing of high-level engagement rather than a complete severance of ties, though it marks a notable hardening of hostilities. DIRCO is currently assessing the implications for South Africa's diplomatic presence in the region, including services in Palestinian territories, and is considering the process for appointing a new ambassador. Israel has indicated that "additional steps will be considered in due course," leaving the immediate future of direct communication between the two governments uncertain.