Parliament, Friday, 30 January 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has noted and supports the decision of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to declare Mr Ariel Seidman, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli Embassy, persona non grata.
Mr Mahumapelo said he noted the unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practices by the Israeli embassy, which pose a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty. Mr Mahumapelo said: “The decision is in line with a long taken resolution by Parliament on matters of historical injustices unleashed by Israel on Palestine since 1948.”
He added: “We are in full support of the decision of the DIRCO to act in the manner befitting the gross disrespect of the standard principles of bilateral cooperation.”
The violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and a deliberate failure to inform DIRCO of purported visits by senior Israeli officials.
Mr Mahumapelo said no country can allow its sovereignty and pride to be cast into a wetland of embarrassment, worse by a foreigner. “We call on the Israeli government to ensure its future diplomatic conduct demonstrates respect for the Republic and the established principles of international engagement,” said Mr Mahumapelo.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.
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