The United States is expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, over allegations of hating America and President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Friday, stating that Rasool is “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.”

Rubio declared, “South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.” The expulsion is a rare move by the US and marks the latest development in rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

The tensions have been escalating since Trump cut US financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and genocide case against Israel. Trump has accused the South African government of “confiscating” land from white people, a claim denied by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa has defended the land reform policy, aimed at addressing racial disparities in land ownership. He signed a bill into law in January making it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, in some cases without compensating the owner.

Rasool has been critical of Trump’s policies, including his support for Israel. In a recent livestream, Rasool said Trump’s “disrespect” for the global order was motivated by white supremacism. He also compared the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza to apartheid-era South Africa.

Trump has responded by offering to invite South African farmers to settle in the US with a “rapid pathway to citizenship.” The move has been criticized by the South African government, which has accused Trump of interfering in its internal affairs.