Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) made known, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel; and Gideon Sa’ar, Foreign Minister, made a decision and declared Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative, persona non grata.
The declaration made on Friday 30 January, 2026 further made known, Byneveldt must leave Israel within seventy-two (72) hours.
The Israeli MFA explained, it declared Byneveldt persona non grata after “South Africa’s false attacks against Israel”, as well as, the African country’s “unilateral, baseless step” taken against Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires in the country.
A statement by the Israel Foreign Ministry reads: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar decided – following South Africa’s false attacks against Israel in the international arena and the unilateral,
“baseless step taken against the Chargé d’Affaires of Israel in South Africa – that South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative, Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, is persona non grata and must leave Israel within 72 hours.
“Additional steps will be considered in due course.”
Earlier on Friday, the Foreign Ministry of South Africa declared Ariel Seidman, the most senior Israeli diplomat to South Africa, posted to the city of Pretoria persona non grata and issued an order for him to leave the country within 72 hours.
The government of South Africa accused Seidman of “unacceptable violations”.
Statement by the Foreign Ministry of South Africa on the expulsion of Israeli diplomat Seidman:
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said: “This decisive measure follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practise which pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty.
“These violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa…”
MEDIA STATEMENT
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) January 30, 2026
30 January 2026
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has informed the Government of the State of Israel of its decision to declare Mr. Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, persona non grata. pic.twitter.com/IINt3ixnCO
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Israel:
Since South Africa lodged a case of genocide with the International Court of Justice against Israel in December 2023 for its actions in Gaza, the relations between the African country and Israel have been on a decline.
The latest brawl between South Africa and Israel is also likely to ignite tensions with the United States (US). Earlier in January, America through the US Embassy in South Africa said, “South Africa can’t lecture the world while cozying up to Iran”, a country that fought a 12-day battle with Israel.
