In the world of diplomacy, "persona non grata" is the ultimate red card. It is the moment a government stops talking and starts pointing toward the exit. On January 30, 2026, South Africa pulled that card, effectively ending the last remaining formal diplomatic link with Israel.
The breaking point: "insults" and "sinister deals"
While the genocide case in The Hague set the stage, the final collapse was triggered by what South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) calls a "gross abuse of diplomatic privilege."
The charges against Israeli Chargé d’Affaires Ariel Seidman:
Social Media Warfare: Pretoria accused Seidman of using official embassy channels to launch "insulting attacks" against President Cyril Ramaphosa. One post ironically praised a "rare moment of wisdom" from the President, which DIRCO viewed as a sarcastic and unacceptable breach of sovereignty.
The Eastern Cape Incident: Tension spiked when Israeli officials, led by Seidman, visited the Thembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo in the Eastern Cape. They reportedly discussed agricultural and water aid without notifying DIRCO—a move South Africa views as a "sinister attempt" to bypass the central government and undermine its foreign policy.
The retaliation: targeting the Palestinian conduit
Israel didn’t wait long to fire back. Hours after Seidman was given 72 hours to leave, Israel declared South Africa’s senior diplomat in Ramallah, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata.
The Strategic Blow: By expelling Byneveldt from the West Bank, Israel has effectively severed South Africa’s direct diplomatic eyes and ears in Palestine. Because Byneveldt’s accreditation to work in the West Bank is managed through Israeli-controlled border entries, Israel argued his status was no longer valid given South Africa's "baseless hostility."
For South Africa, this is a heavy blow. It means Pretoria can no longer maintain its senior diplomatic presence in the very territories it seeks to support.
A relationship in total eclipse
As of February 2026, there are now zero senior diplomats in either capital.
Pretoria: The Israeli embassy remains open but without a head of mission.
Tel Aviv/Ramallah: South Africa has no senior representation left to engage either Israel or the Palestinian Authority.
With the Trump administration in the U.S. already imposing trade sanctions on South Africa over its pro-Palestine stance, this diplomatic severance pushes Pretoria further into a geopolitical corner—one where its ties with the West are fraying while its commitment to the "Global South" reaches a point of no return.
Authentic insight: Is this diplomacy or defeat?
At African Diplomat, we ask: Does expelling diplomats actually help the people on the ground? While South Africa is standing firm on its principles of sovereignty and anti-apartheid solidarity, the loss of a "conduit" means the ability to negotiate, de-escalate, or even provide humanitarian assistance just became significantly harder.
We want to hear from you:
Does South Africa’s "principled stance" justify the loss of its diplomatic link to Palestine?
Is social media the new "front line" where traditional diplomacy goes to die?