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Deputy ambassador, Ariel Seidman, of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has informed the Government of the State of Israel of its decision to declare deputy ambassador, Ariel Seidman, of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa as persona non grata.
It has given Seidmand three days to leave South Africa. The department says this decision follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty.
These violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against President Cyril Ramaphosa, and a deliberate failure to inform DIRCO of purported visits by senior Israeli officials.
MEDIA STATEMENT
30 January 2026
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has informed the Government of the State of Israel of its decision to declare Mr. Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, persona non grata. pic.twitter.com/IINt3ixnCO
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) January 30, 2026
It says such actions represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention.
It added that they have systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations.
DIRCO says Seidman is required to leave South Africa within 72 hours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvd-kxaZQUY
