Israel and South Africa Engage in Tit-for-Tat Diplomatic Expulsions Amid Deepening Rift

Diplomatic Crisis Escalates Between Israel and South Africa

A significant diplomatic escalation unfolded on Friday, January 30, 2026, as South Africa expelled Israel's chargé d'affaires, Ariel Seidman, prompting a swift reciprocal action from Israel, which declared South Africa's senior diplomatic representative, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata. Both diplomats have been ordered to leave their respective host countries within 72 hours, marking a severe downturn in already fraught bilateral relations.

South Africa's Grounds for Expulsion

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) stated that its decision to expel Ariel Seidman stemmed from 'unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa's sovereignty'. These violations reportedly included:

• Repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch 'insulting attacks' against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
• A 'deliberate failure' to inform DIRCO of purported visits by senior Israeli officials.

DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri emphasized that such actions represented a 'gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention'. Specific incidents cited in reports included Israeli embassy social media posts regarding South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and a sarcastic comment directed at President Ramaphosa. An unauthorized visit by an Israeli official to the Eastern Cape was also mentioned as a contributing factor.

Israel's Reciprocal Action

In response to Pretoria's move, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar made the decision to expel Shaun Edward Byneveldt. The Israeli Foreign Ministry cited South Africa's 'false attacks against Israel in the international arena and the unilateral, baseless step taken against the Chargé d'Affaires of Israel in South Africa' as the basis for its decision. It was noted that Byneveldt serves as South Africa's 'ambassador to the State of Palestine not Israel', with his accreditation through Israel described by South African officials as a 'farcical arrangement' due to Israel's 'obstructionism'.

Broader Context of Strained Relations

These expulsions are the latest development in a severely strained relationship between the two nations. Diplomatic ties have been deteriorating, particularly since December 2023, when South Africa initiated a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its military actions in Gaza, allegations that Israel vehemently denies. Both countries had previously withdrawn their respective ambassadors in 2023, further downgrading their diplomatic presence. Analysts suggest that these mutual expulsions signify a 'severe downgrade' and a 'direct diplomatic confrontation', with the potential for further retaliatory measures.