South Africa Expels Israeli Chargé d’Affaires Over Diplomatic Offenses

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, South Africa‘s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has expelled Ariel Sidman, the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires in Pretoria, citing repeated diplomatic offenses. The decision follows official statements by Israeli officials on social media that contained insults directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The ministry condemned the behavior as a clear violation of accepted diplomatic norms. It also accused Israel of deliberately misleading information about visits by its officials to South Africa, calling such actions unacceptable breaches of diplomatic protocol that undermine mutual respect.

Tensions between South Africa and Israel have escalated sharply in recent months due to the Gaza war and Pretoria’s outspoken support for the Palestinian people. South Africa has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and repeatedly calling for an immediate end to the war.