South Africa has taken a significant step in its long-standing dispute with Israel, expelling the Israeli envoy from the country after declaring him persona non grata. The move comes amid growing tensions between the two nations over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip and its treatment of Palestinians.
According to the South African government, the Israeli charge d'affaires, Ariel Seidman, has been found guilty of launching "insulting attacks" against President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media, as well as failing to inform the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation about alleged visits by senior Israeli officials. The department claims that such actions represent a "gross abuse of diplomatic privilege" and have undermined trust between the two nations.
In response, Israel has declared its own ambassador to South Africa, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata and given him 72 hours to leave the country. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would consider further measures in the future, citing what they described as "Israel's obstructionism."
The expulsion is part of a tit-for-tat response to Israel's actions in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. South Africa has filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide in the territory. The country has also accused Israel of maintaining an apartheid system similar to the one that existed in South Africa during its racist regime.
Critics of Israel's actions, including the Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party, have welcomed the expulsion, saying it demonstrates a clear stance against "apartheid Israel." The party urged South Africa to continue taking strong positions against Israel, including severing diplomatic and economic ties with the country.
According to the South African government, the Israeli charge d'affaires, Ariel Seidman, has been found guilty of launching "insulting attacks" against President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media, as well as failing to inform the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation about alleged visits by senior Israeli officials. The department claims that such actions represent a "gross abuse of diplomatic privilege" and have undermined trust between the two nations.
In response, Israel has declared its own ambassador to South Africa, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata and given him 72 hours to leave the country. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would consider further measures in the future, citing what they described as "Israel's obstructionism."
The expulsion is part of a tit-for-tat response to Israel's actions in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. South Africa has filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide in the territory. The country has also accused Israel of maintaining an apartheid system similar to the one that existed in South Africa during its racist regime.
Critics of Israel's actions, including the Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party, have welcomed the expulsion, saying it demonstrates a clear stance against "apartheid Israel." The party urged South Africa to continue taking strong positions against Israel, including severing diplomatic and economic ties with the country.
This is kinda surprising... South Africa taking a stand like that 
I mean, we've seen countries being all about diplomacy and trying not to rock the boat, but SA's just gone full-on 
against Israel's actions in Gaza. It's like they're saying enough is enough 
And I get it, I really do - what kind of actions are those? Hundreds of Palestinians killed? That's just devastating 
The apartheid comparison is definitely a bold move by SA, but I think they're onto something 
if you ask me. It's time for some major world leaders to start talking about this stuff 
Honestly, who's surprised by this? South Africa finally decides to stand up for themselves and their Palestinian friends after years of being ignored or bullied by Israel 
. I mean, can you blame them? Those actions in Gaza have been absolutely brutal 
. And let's be real, apartheid is not a topic for debate anymore 
. Expelling their envoy is one thing, but cutting off ties altogether? That's a whole new level of 'no holds barred' 
. I hope South Africa doesn't get burned by economic repercussions though 
.
. I guess you could say they're finally taking a stand for what's right 
. One thing's for sure, Israel needs to get its act together and stop pretending like everything is just peachy in their 'democracy' 
.
this is a huge win for South Africa, shows that they're not afraid to stand up to Israel 
I'm glad the gov't took action after all those insults & breaches of protocol from Ariel Seidman... gotta protect national dignity 
it's time for them to take responsibility for their actions, can't just deny everything 
just thinking about all this, gotta say its kinda wild how things escalate so fast... 72 hours or not, i feel like its a small price to pay for ignoring insults and not following protocol, but at the same time, i can see why israel would want some serious repercussions 
. Maybe this will be the start of something bigger and we'll see real change in Gaza 
. I get why South Africa's getting upset - all that violence & suffering among Palestinians can't be ignored 
One thing's for sure, it's gonna be interesting to see how this plays out... 
i mean its not like theyre asking for it or anything all those palestinians getting killed and still no one doing anything about it meanwhile south africas got a case going at the int'l court of justice accusing israel of genocide 
. South Africa has a history of fighting for justice, from apartheid to... well, now. I hope the expelment sends a clear message to Israel that they can't just do whatever they want and expect everyone to be okay with it 
. The fact that Israel's ambassador is being given 72 hours to leave the country is like an ultimatum - if you don't shape up, we'll send you packing 
. I'm all for a strong stance against apartheid, and I'm glad South Africa is taking a lead on this issue 
. One minute it's South Africa expelling the Israeli envoy, next thing you know Israel's doing the same to some poor South African diplomat 
.
. But kicking someone out of the country is pretty extreme, you feel? I'm not sure if it's the right move, but at least it shows that SA isn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in 
, and it's just so wrong. I hope Israel gets its act together and starts treating Palestinians better 
. Anyway, I think it's cool that SA is taking a stand against apartheid Israel 
, but Israel is all like "NOPE, you're the one who's being too sensitive" 
, but at least not nuclear missiles either 
.
. Guess Shaun Edward Byneveldt will have to pack up his suitcases and say goodbye to the land of braaivleis and Springbok rugby 
️... again 
... they're basically telling israel that they won't tolerate some of the stuff they've been doing in gaza 
South Africa is finally standing up to those nasty Israeli ppl! Expelling their envoy is like, a major move, you feel? 
!