Image: from Kosher X@koshercockney
By Open Chronicle News Desk
JERUSALEM — In a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions, the Israeli government on Friday declared South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata. The move comes as a direct reciprocal response to Pretoria’s earlier decision to expel Israel’s chargé d’affaires.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that Byneveldt has been ordered to leave the country within 72 hours. According to an official statement, the decision was authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. The ministry cited South Africa’s “unilateral and baseless” actions against Israeli diplomats and what it characterized as “false attacks” in international legal forums as the primary reasons for the expulsion.
“South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative is persona non grata and must leave Israel within 72 hours,” the ministry stated, adding that “additional steps will be considered in due course.”
This diplomatic “tit-for-tat” began earlier on Friday when South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced the expulsion of Israel’s acting ambassador, Ariel Seidman. Pretoria accused Seidman of “unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms,” including public remarks that were deemed insulting to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and a direct challenge to the nation’s sovereignty.
BREAKING:
South Africa declares top Israeli diplomat persona non grata, orders him to leave the country within 72 hours. pic.twitter.com/qDTkS2lWqp
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) January 30, 2026
Relations between the two nations have deteriorated significantly since late 2023. South Africa previously recalled its diplomats from Tel Aviv and filed a landmark case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza—an Allegation Israel vehemently denies.
As the 72-hour deadline approaches, the total withdrawal of senior diplomatic representation marks one of the lowest points in the history of Israel-South Africa relations, leaving communication channels between the two states severely fractured.