Israel Expels South African Envoy in Tit-for-Tat Diplomatic Row

• Israel expelled South Africa’s charge d’affaires, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, giving him 72 hours to leave, in a reciprocal move.
• This expulsion follows South Africa declaring Israel’s top diplomat, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata earlier, also with a 72-hour deadline.
• Israel's Foreign Ministry cited South Africa's "false attacks" and "baseless step" against its diplomat as reasons for the expulsion.
• South Africa accused the Israeli embassy of "unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms," including insulting President Cyril Ramaphosa on social media and unapproved official visits.
• The diplomatic spat escalates tensions between the two nations, already strained by South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the ICJ regarding the Gaza conflict.

Why It Matters: Israel and South Africa engage in reciprocal diplomatic expulsions, escalating tensions over Gaza conflict and alleged norm violations.