SAJBD hits out at decision to expel Israeli diplomat from SA

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has hit out at Pretoria’s decision to expel chargé d’affaires of the Israeli embassy Ariel Seidman from the country.

The top Israeli diplomat was declared persona non-grata on Friday.

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The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the decision follows a series of what it calls unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice that pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty.

This includes insulting President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media and breaching diplomatic protocol.

The Israeli government later retaliated by declaring South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, Shaun Byneveldt, persona non grata, threatening further action against him.

The recent row is a continuation of hostilities between South Africa and Israel escalated after government filed a case in the International Court of Justice two years ago, alleging Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza.

National director of the SAJBD Wendy Kahn said, “Given the dire lack of basic services for countless South Africans, it is striking that, just days after Israel offered water solutions to a desperate community in the Eastern Cape, DIRCO expelled the Israeli chargé d’affaires, diverting attention from real domestic issues.”