South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has declared the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, Mr Ariel Seidman, persona non grata and instructed him to leave the Republic within 72 hours.
In a media statement dated 30 January 2026, DIRCO said it had formally notified the Government of the State of Israel of the decision, describing it as a “decisive measure” taken after what it called a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice that “pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty.”
According to the department, the alleged violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa. DIRCO also cited what it described as a deliberate failure to inform the department about purported visits to South Africa by senior Israeli officials.
The department said such conduct amounts to a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention, adding that these actions have systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations. It said the established diplomatic processes that govern official engagement must be respected at all times.
“South Africa’s sovereignty and the dignity of its offices are inviolable,” DIRCO said, reiterating that Mr Seidman is required to depart within three days of the notice.
Declaring a diplomat persona non grata is among the strongest measures available to a host state under international diplomatic practice. It effectively withdraws the host country’s acceptance of a diplomat and requires the sending state to recall or replace the official. DIRCO’s statement emphasised adherence to official channels and proper notification as core expectations of diplomatic conduct.
DIRCO urged the Israeli government to ensure that future diplomatic conduct demonstrates respect for South Africa and for the established principles of international engagement. The department said the decision is intended to protect sovereignty and restore respect for diplomatic rules. The statement was issued by DIRCO, with media enquiries directed to ministry spokesperson Mr Crispin Phiri for further information if needed.
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