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South Africa declares Israel’s deputy ambassador persona non grata, orders him to leave country
South Africa expelled Israel’s deputy ambassador over social media insults to President Ramaphosa and undisclosed visits by Israeli officials, breaching diplomatic protocols, the foreign ministry said.
- On Friday, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation declared Ariel Seidman persona non grata and ordered him to leave within 72 hours.
- Citing sovereignty concerns, South Africa listed social media attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa and failures to notify planned visits by senior Israeli officials.
- Seidman is the most senior Israeli diplomat in South Africa since 2023 after Israel recalled its ambassador, while David Saranga, dispatched as a visiting ambassador, met King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo in recent weeks.
- The expulsion leaves Israel without an accredited senior diplomat in South Africa, with Israel's embassy in Pretoria operating with reduced staff while Israeli officials weigh their response and the move may provoke a strong reaction from the United States.
- This escalation follows prior diplomatic withdrawals and the World Court case, as South African officials saw Israeli envoy activity as a de facto imposition escalating tensions.
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South Africa on Friday ordered an Israeli diplomat to leave the country within 72 hours, citing a "series of violations."
·Vilnius, Lithuania
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources83
Leaning Left28Leaning Right7Center21Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
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