Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumDefend government policy or resign, Israel's ambassadors are told
Top security chief tells envoys to 'quit or go into politics' if they disagree with settlement plans<snip>
"Israeli ambassadors from around the world meeting in Jerusalem for their annual get-together have been told to support the government's domestic and foriegn policies or resign.
Yaakov Amidror, the head of Israel's National Security Council, lashed out at the 150 diplomats, telling them they were "clerks" whose job was to represent and advise the government.
"If this doesn't suit you, quit or run for political office," Mr Amidror told the ambassadors after they applauded a question from Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, an ex-ambassador to London and former foreign ministry director-general.
Mr Prosor had queried the timing of a recent Israeli government decision announcing settlement construction in E1, an area of the West Bank east of Jerusalem that Palestinians say is vital for the geographical integrity of their future state. The undiplomatic bust-up, which occurred behind closed doors but was leaked to the press, reflected mounting frustration among Israeli diplomats who feel they are excluded from key areas of foreign policymaking. The two most important arenas of Israeli foreign policy the peace process with the Palestinians and Israel-US relations are handled directly by the Prime Minister, bypassing Israel's regular diplomatic machinery."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/defend-government-policy-or-resign-israels-ambassadors-are-told-8434692.html
bemildred
(90,061 posts)R. Daneel Olivaw
(12,606 posts)Perhaps his ambassadors don't understand the fine art of defending a democracy and apartheid state at the same time.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)So I'd guess somebody did something he considers unsupportive. And I wonder what it was?
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)our way or the highway
King_David
(14,851 posts)Think this is unique to the Israeli government ?
Share your thoughts with the group.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I think you know better.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Apparently that kind of thing is not tolerated for senior diplomats in the Light Unto Humanity.
King_David
(14,851 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)any insight regarding what they hear from their counterparts and how US policy is affecting our standing overseas?
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)And judging from that recent facebook post from the Israeli embassy in Ireland, they communicate Israeli policy exceedingly well!
However, demanding lockstep behind closed doors is a bit beyond the pale. Are they ambassadors, or are they just well-placed hasbara regurgitators? If the latter, any one of the Useful(?) Idiots from this forum could pull it off and would do so completely free of charge
Violet_Crumble
(35,961 posts)From earlier last month http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=26456
Is it for show or something? It seems like a waste of energy to me...
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)K&R
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)but with elections coming in a few weeks there will most likely be some changes anyway
bemildred
(90,061 posts)That f**ker could kiss my ass goodbye the day he said that to me.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)Violet_Crumble
(35,961 posts)I'm betting none of them will...
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)Good to see you Violet.
Violet_Crumble
(35,961 posts)Good to see you too, Jefferson! I'm hoping to spend a bit more time in this group now I've packed it in as a forum host and have more time on my hands
aranthus
(3,385 posts)Ambassadors are not supposed to make policy. Their job is to use their best judgment in the exercise of policy set by the government, and to communicate their insights on their station to the government. That includes, by the way, every ambassador to the UN, which is one reason that wretched body should be thoroughly ignored.