Meet Israel’s new top diplomat in South Africa

 

Hen Feder has officially commenced his mandate as Israel’s new deputy chief of mission in South Africa, stepping into Pretoria during a period of unprecedented diplomatic strain between the two nations.

Feder confirmed his appointment on social media platform X, stating on Monday: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the commencement of my mandate as the Deputy Chief of Mission in @IsraelinSA, which is also in charge of Madagascar, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mauritius.

“I hope to find ways to bring our two peoples closer together. South Africa, bring it on.”

It gives me great pleasure to announce the commencement of my mandate as the Deputy Chief of Mission in @IsraelinSA, which is also in charge of Madagascar, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mauritius.

I hope to find ways to bring our two peoples closer together.

South Africa, bring it on. pic.twitter.com/5v1s03GwjF

— Hen Feder (@feder_hen) September 28, 2026

The Embassy of Israel in South Africa welcomed Feder – a former spokesperson for Israel’s mission in France – confirming his diplomatic mandate across the region.

Brief chronology of worsening diplomatic ties between SA and Israel

Feder’s arrival follows a turbulent series of diplomatic confrontations between Pretoria and Tel Aviv. In November 2023, South Africa’s National Assembly voted 248 to 91 to close the Israeli Embassy and suspend diplomatic relations following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.

Shortly thereafter, in December 2023, South Africa instituted legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza.

Diplomatic relations deteriorated sharply in January 2026 when South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) declared Israel’s then chargé d’affaires, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata and gave him 72 hours to leave the country following alleged violations of diplomatic norms.

Tel Aviv retaliated immediately by expelling South African ambassador Shaun Byneveldt.

Although President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government kept the parliamentary resolution to close the embassy “under consideration”, official diplomatic channels were reduced significantly.

Navigating a complex geopolitical landscape

The diplomatic landscape in Pretoria remains volatile. While Colombia announced the closure of its Pretoria embassy in July 2026 as President Abelardo de la Espriella restored ties with Israel, South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) remains divided on its Middle East stance.

Parties like the Freedom Front Plus have advocated for restoring ties with Israel, whereas the Economic Freedom Fighters and Al Jama-ah demand total severance.