DIRCO says it warned Israeli embassy before diplomatic expulsion

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it engaged with the Israeli embassy on previous occasions regarding its conduct and the language it uses in public before expelling its senior diplomat.

The government declared Israel’s chargé d’affaires in South Africa, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata on Friday for breaching diplomatic rules and practices.

DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said it included several problematic social media posts by the embassy.

“We have not reached this decision unilaterally. At every moment and time, we did inform the Israeli embassy that this conduct is undesirable, and we would prefer that they engage in a manner that is within diplomatic norms and processes.”

Phiri added that senior officials from the embassy had also entered the country without informing DIRCO beforehand.

“The Foreign Services Act of South Africa is clear. Any embassy in South Africa that engages or requires an official visit of a senior official of their capital would be required to inform DIRCO so that we can implement what we call a bilateral arrangement.

“No self-respecting, serious state would tolerate what the Israeli embassy had conducted, and we cannot tolerate at any point our President being insulted.”

On Friday, in response, Israel declared South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, Shaun Byneveldt, persona non grata.

Phiri said the Department was assessing how this would impact its service in Palestine as well as facilitating a potential new ambassador.

“If Israel is interested in correcting the conduct of Mr Seidman, they would also be facilitating a new chargé d’affaires to South Africa.”

To listen to Phiri in conversation with Clement Manyathela, use the audio player below: