""This decisive measure follows a series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practise which pose a direct challenge to South Africa's sovereignty," the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement. "These violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa," the ministry said. The foreign ministry also accused Seidman of failing to inform South African authorities of "purported visits by senior Israeli officials.""
"DIRCO went on to say that this constituted a "gross abuse of diplomatic privilege" and said it was in violation of the Vienna Convention."
"Ties between Israel and South Africa have been on a downward trajectory since it lodged a case of genocide with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for its actions in Gaza. Israel rejected the case saying it "makes a mockery" of what constitutes genocide. In 2023, South African lawmakers also voted in favor of shutting down the Israeli diplomatic mission in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations because of the war in Gaza, a decision that was never implemented."
South Africa expelled Israel's ambassador Ariel Seidman, declaring him persona non grata and giving him 72 hours to depart. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation cited repeated use of official Israeli social media to attack President Cyril Ramaphosa and failure to notify authorities about purported visits by senior Israeli officials. DIRCO described the conduct as a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a violation of the Vienna Convention. Bilateral relations have deteriorated since South Africa lodged an ICJ genocide case over Gaza, and a 2023 parliamentary vote had previously sought suspension of diplomatic ties.
Read at www.dw.com
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