Experts warn of diplomatic breakdown between South Africa and Israel

South Africa's decision on Friday to declare Israeli diplomat Ariel Seidman persona non grata has significantly escalated the already fragile relations between Pretoria and Tel Aviv.

Experts have warned that this move could lead to a complete diplomatic breakdown.

The declaration was swiftly followed by Israel's retaliatory action, expelling South African diplomat Shaun Edward Byneveldt from the country.

Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), stated on Saturday that the declaration was not abrupt but rather “a culmination of activities” following formal engagements with the Israeli government that failed to address South Africa’s concerns.

“What we have seen over a series of months was the Israeli Embassy in South Africa using the X platform to undermine the South African government and show how disrespectful the conduct of the Israeli government has been,” Phiri remarked.

“We feel that our sovereignty has been undermined, which is why these measures had to be taken. We hope the Israeli government will recalibrate its actions and respectfully engage us,” he added.

The relationship between the two countries deteriorated further when Seidman took David Saranga, a senior official from the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry, on a visit to AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo in the Eastern Cape last year without informing DIRCO.

In a statement released on Friday, DIRCO accused Israel of insulting President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media and of operating in the country without proper notification.

During the visit to the king, Saranga donated food parcels to residents whose homes had been destroyed by floods in May. Dalindyebo’s daughter, Ntando Dalindyebo, who serves as the royal family’s spokesperson, described Seidman’s expulsion as a personal attack on the king.

“Our relationship with the Israeli Embassy is one we hold very close to our hearts, as they have managed to help our people in ways the South African government has not been able to do. When they dismiss the ambassador, it becomes difficult for us not to see this as a personal attack on the kingdom,” Ntando explained.

She confirmed that the king did not inform government authorities about the visit and stated that Saranga had promised to assist the community of Mthatha and other areas in the Eastern Cape by developing water infrastructure, helping needy children with tertiary education fees, and refurbishing health facilities.

“My father (the king) told him (Saranga) that we don’t have water in the Eastern Cape and our hospitals are in horrible conditions, as they were last renovated 50 years ago,” she said.

Ntando also mentioned that some government officials and traditional leaders had warned the king against accepting donations from Israel, which has been accused of genocide against the Palestinian people. “But my father saw it as unfair to say no to a donation that could help people in their time of need. Then we welcomed the ambassador,” she added.

The visit by Israeli officials angered Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, who stated that the king took them to public institutions in the province, including healthcare facilities and Walter Sisulu University, without the provincial government's consent.

“Premier Mabuyane rejects the sinister deal between the king and Israel, viewing these actions as an attempt by the Israeli government to undermine South Africa's sovereign right to manage its international affairs,” a statement released recently read.

However, Mabuyane’s spokesperson, Sonwabo Mbananga, indicated that the provincial government has not pursued any action against the king. Phiri did not respond when asked what actions would be taken against the king.

In a statement released on Friday, the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) claimed that Seidman was being punished for helping South Africans gain access to clean water.

“In a country where taps run dry, where children walk kilometres with buckets, where elderly women queue for hours at communal pumps, and where the state has normalised collapse, neglect, and decay, the ANC chose to penalise the one party that is genuinely providing solutions,” the statement asserted.

International relations expert Dr Ayabulela Dlakavu stated that Seidman’s expulsion was warranted.

“Relations between South Africa and any other sovereign nation should be handled by DIRCO, because that is the department charged with managing relations with other countries. Undermining this by the Israeli government would result in any self-respecting nation being well within its rights to declare an ambassador undesirable,” he said.

Siseko Maposa, director of Surgetower Associates Management Consultancy, noted that while the current tit-for-tat between the two states is serious, it does not yet amount to a complete severance of diplomatic relations.

“It is crucial to note that both nations had already functionally downgraded relations by recalling their ambassadors in preceding years,” he added.

The EFF, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the ANC have all welcomed Seidman’s expulsion. “The undiplomatic conduct of Mr Ariel Seidman shows disregard not only for our government and authorities but for the South African people as a whole,” the EFF stated.

The SACP called Israel’s retaliation a prompt for South Africa to completely sever diplomatic ties with Israel. “We reiterate our rejection of the colonial rule of Zionist Israel’s occupation over Palestine, as well as the apartheid regime’s destabilisation of the Middle East region,” the statement said.

The ANC expressed support for the action against Israel, stating, “South Africa is a constitutional democracy born out of resistance to oppression and external domination. We, therefore, reject, without hesitation, any conduct by foreign representatives that undermines our sovereignty, disrespects our Head of State, or abuses diplomatic privilege under the guise of engagement,” said Andisiwe Kumbaca, Whip of the ANC Study Group on International Relations and Cooperation.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE