South Africa ordered Israeli Charge d'Affaires Ariel Seidman to leave the country within 72 hours on Friday, January 30, 2026, citing repeated violations of diplomatic protocols. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) described the envoy's conduct as "a direct challenge to South Africa's sovereignty."
DIRCO accused Seidman of using official Israeli social media accounts to launch "insulting attacks" against President Cyril Ramaphosa and failing to notify authorities about planned visits by senior Israeli officials. The department emphasized these actions violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs international diplomatic conduct.
"This gross abuse of diplomatic privilege undermines the foundation of bilateral trust," a DIRCO statement read. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of diplomatic practices in Southern Africa this year, with analysts noting it could impact Israel's engagement strategies across the continent.
South Africa urged Israel to ensure future diplomatic interactions adhere to established international norms. Observers suggest the decision reflects Pretoria's increasingly assertive foreign policy approach in 2026.
