Diplomatic engagement is likely to narrow: With the senior Israeli representative ordered out, routine bilateral coordination will have to shift to lower-level channels or third-country intermediaries.

Legal and political confrontation is reinforced: The move aligns South Africa’s diplomatic posture with its ICJ case against Israel, hardening the dispute into both legal and state-to-state arenas.

Reciprocal measures become more likely: Declaring a diplomat persona non grata commonly triggers retaliatory expulsions or downgrades, raising the risk of further formal deterioration in relations.