South Africa and Israel expel each other’s envoys

South Africa has expelled Israel’s top diplomat in the country for “violating diplomatic norms”, a move that prompted Israel to kick out a South African envoy in retaliation

The diplomatic row started when South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry declared Ariel Seidman, chargé d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, persona non grata and gave him 72 hours to leave the country.

Hours later, Israel announced similar action against South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine Shaun Edward Byneveldt.

Relations between South Africa and Israel have been frosty since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a charge Israel has rejected.

South Africa accused Seidman of using official social media platforms to attack Ramaphosa and inviting Israeli officials to the country without permission.

The two expelled diplomats were their respective country’s highest-ranking representatives as there is no Israeli ambassador in South Africa and likewise no South African ambassador in Israel.

Announcing Seidman’s expulsion, South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry said his actions “represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege”.

Shortly afterwards, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar hit back and announced that “following South Africa’s false attacks against Israel in the international arena and the unilateral, baseless step taken” against [Seidman], Byneveldt is also persona non grata and would have to leave Israel within 72 hours.

Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates