Ariel Seidman

Ariel Seidman is Israel's chargé d’affaires at the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Seidman has recently been declared persona non grata by South Africa and ordered to leave the country within 72 hours. This expulsion is the result of what South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has characterized as "insulting attacks" on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media and the "abuse of diplomatic privilege." The expulsion occurred amidst heightened tensions between South Africa and Israel, particularly following South Africa's accusation of Israel committing genocide at the International Court of Justice. In response to Seidman's expulsion, Israel ordered the expulsion of a South African envoy in a reciprocal move, further escalating the diplomatic row between the two nations. Seidman's expulsion highlights the deteriorating relationship between South Africa and Israel and underscores the sensitivity surrounding diplomatic conduct and international relations.