The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has informed the Government of the State of Israel of South Africa’s decision to declare the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, Mr Ariel Seidman, persona non grata.
In a statement issued on Friday, DIRCO said the decision follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice that 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 His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, and a deliberate failure to inform DIRCO of purported visits by senior Israeli officials,” the department said.
According to the department, these actions amount to a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a fundamental breach of the Vienna Convention, and have systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations.
DIRCO said South Africa’s sovereignty and the dignity of its offices are inviolable, and that Seidman is required to depart the Republic within 72 hours.
“We urge the Israeli government to ensure its future diplomatic conduct demonstrates respect for the Republic and the established principles of international engagement,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
