South Africa said on Friday it had expelled Israel’s acting ambassador, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours, prompting Israel to retaliate with a similar move.

South Africa’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it had informed the Israeli government that Ariel Sideman, the acting head of Israel’s diplomatic mission, had been declared persona non grata.

Israel responded by declaring South Africa’s top diplomatic representative unwelcome and ordering him to leave within three days.

Relations between the two governments have deteriorated since South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in late 2023, accusing it of committing “genocide” in Gaza, allegations Israel strongly denies.