South Africa expels Israeli envoy; Tel Aviv reciprocates

CAPE TOWN, Feb. 02 (YPA) – The South African government has officially declared “Israel’s” Chargé d’Affaires in Pretoria, Ariel Seidman, “persona non grata,” granting him 72 hours to depart the country.

According to official statements, this decisive move follows a series of diplomatic violations that South Africa views as a direct challenge to its national sovereignty.

In immediate retaliation, “Israel” ordered South Africa’s diplomatic representative to leave within the same 72-hour window. The Israeli government dismissed South Africa’s allegations against its envoy as “false,” characterizing the expulsion as a reaction to what it described as “malicious attacks” against “Israel” on the international stage.

This sharp escalation marks a significant deterioration in bilateral relations, reflecting the intensifying friction between the two sides amid ongoing legal and political disputes in international forums.

YPA