In brief
South Africa has declared Ariel Seidman, Israel's top diplomat in the country, persona non grata, ordering him to leave within 72 hours. The expulsion follows accusations of Seidman making insulting comments towards South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and misusing official channels. The relationship between South Africa and Israel remains strained after South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice.
South Africa has expelled Israel's top diplomat in the country for violating diplomatic norms, including making insulting remarks against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ariel Seidman, chargé d'affaires at the Israeli embassy, has been declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country, according to South Africa's foreign ministry.
He has been accused of using official social media platforms to attack Ramaphosa and inviting Israeli officials to South Africa without permission.
Relations between the two countries have been frosty since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice, a charge that Israel has rejected.
The BBC has reached out to the Israeli embassy in Pretoria for comment.
Israel does not currently have an ambassador in South Africa, and Seidman was appointed last year, with a role that extends to several neighboring countries including Lesotho and Namibia. The South African foreign affairs ministry characterized his actions as a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege.
