Friday, 30 January 2026

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the principled and long-overdue decision by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to declare the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata and to expel him from the Republic of South Africa.

This decision comes as a direct result of his deliberate and repeated acts of diplomatic misconduct, including the use of official Israeli government social media platforms to launch insulting and inflammatory attacks against President Cyril Ramaphosa, in open violation of diplomatic norms. Furthermore, the Israeli mission wilfully failed to notify DIRCO of visits by senior Israeli officials, deliberately bypassing established diplomatic protocol.

These actions constitute a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and a breach of the Vienna Convention, confirming the EFF’s long-held position that Israel does not respect international law, diplomatic decorum, or the authority of sovereign states.

From its repeated violations of United Nations resolutions, to its open defiance of international courts, to its brazen attacks on diplomats, journalists, humanitarian workers and civilians in Palestine and beyond, Israel has established itself as a rogue state that relies on intimidation and provocation rather than mutual respect.

The EFF further notes that this incident vindicates our long-standing position that apartheid Israel has no place operating a diplomatic mission in South Africa. Since November 2023, the EFF has consistently called for the immediate closure of the Israeli Embassy and end all diplomatic ties leading to our motion adopted by Parliament, yet the Government of National Unity (GNU) has refused to act decisively.

This continued tolerance of Israel’s presence, despite a clear parliamentary mandate, reflects a lackadaisical and cowardly approach to an apartheid state that thrives on provocation and disrespect. The current diplomatic crisis is a direct consequence of government indecision and its failure to implement Parliament’s will against an apartheid state that has never respected South Africa’s sovereignty or moral standing.

We commend DIRCO for acting decisively in defence of South Africa’s sovereignty and insist again that South Africa must continue to take bold, principled positions against apartheid Israel, including the complete severing of diplomatic and economic ties.

ISSUED BY ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Sinawo Thambo (National Spokesperson) 072 629 7422

Thembi Msane (National Spokesperson) 061 467 8169

Andiswa Madikazi (Parliament Media Liason) 069 516 4924

Thato Lebyane (Media Inquiries) 078 563 1581