South Africa has expelled Israel's top diplomat in the country for violating diplomatic norms, including making insulting remarks against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ariel Seidman, chargé d'affaires at the Israeli embassy, has been declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country, South Africa's foreign ministry states. He has been accused of using official social media platforms to attack Ramaphosa and inviting Israeli officials to South Africa without permission. Relations between the two countries have been frosty since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice, a charge Israel rejects. The BBC has contacted the Israeli embassy in Pretoria for comment. Currently, Israel lacks an ambassador in the country. While announcing Seidman's expulsion, South Africa's foreign ministry called his actions a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege. Seidman was appointed at Israel's embassy in South Africa last year, overseeing neighboring countries like Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia.
South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat Over Diplomatic Norm Violations
South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat Over Diplomatic Norm Violations
In a decisive move, South Africa has expelled Israeli chargé d'affaires Ariel Seidman, citing violations of diplomatic norms and derogatory remarks against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africa has declared Ariel Seidman, Israel's chargé d'affaires, persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country due to alleged diplomatic norm violations, including making insulting remarks about President Cyril Ramaphosa. This decision follows a period of strained relations, exacerbated by accusations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
