The Freedom Front Plus has strongly criticised the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for ordering Israel’s chargé d’affaires to leave South Africa within 72 hours, warning that the move could harm the country’s diplomatic and economic interests.
Party leader Dr Corné Mulder described the decision as another example of what he called the ANC’s unilateral approach to foreign policy, which he says does not serve South Africa’s broader national interests.
The Freedom Front Plus said it was taken aback by DIRCO’s decision to declare Israeli diplomat Ariel Seidman persona non grata. DIRCO claims the decision followed what it described as repeated violations of diplomatic norms that allegedly challenged South Africa’s sovereignty.
According to DIRCO, Mr Seidman used official Israeli social media platforms to post insulting remarks about President Cyril Ramaphosa and failed to formally notify the department about visits by senior Israeli officials to the country.
However, the Freedom Front Plus questioned these claims, arguing that the officials in question were in South Africa in their personal capacities and that the allegations lack substance.
The party also raised concern about the timing of the decision, noting that South Africa’s relationship with the United States remains fragile. Israel is a key US ally, and the Freedom Front Plus believes DIRCO’s action could be seen as provocative and damaging to broader international relations.
The move, the party said, continues a pattern of ANC-driven decisions taken without consulting other partners in the Government of National Unity, despite foreign policy not being the sole domain of one party.
The Freedom Front Plus further suggested that the expulsion may be linked to the earlier removal of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, describing it as possible retaliation.
With critical decisions on AGOA still pending, the party warned that such drastic diplomatic actions could put trade relations, investment and jobs at risk during an already difficult economic period.
The Freedom Front Plus has renewed its call for urgent consultation within government and a more balanced, pragmatic and fact-based foreign policy that prioritises the interests of all South Africans. The party says it will continue engaging President Cyril Ramaphosa on the matter.