Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Scurrilous

(38,687 posts)
Tue Jan 1, 2013, 07:32 PM Jan 2013

Defend 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
19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Defend government policy or resign, Israel's ambassadors are told (Original Post) Scurrilous Jan 2013 OP
He sounds upset. nt bemildred Jan 2013 #1
I suppose he is. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #3
Well, I'd guess he's upset for some reason, he didn't decide to lecture everybody fortuitously. bemildred Jan 2013 #5
yikes well okay then azurnoir Jan 2013 #2
What do you think ? King_David Jan 2013 #4
Good luck getting a response oberliner Jan 2013 #6
There is considerable dissent within the ranks at the State Department. geek tragedy Jan 2013 #7
The Ambasadors too? nt King_David Jan 2013 #8
Certainly. Do you think they just nod their heads and don't provide geek tragedy Jan 2013 #9
Actually I agree with you, this is what ambassadors are supposed to do Scootaloo Jan 2013 #14
Why are you asking a question of someone you know has you on ignore? Violet_Crumble Jan 2013 #15
It will be interesting to see if any of them actually quit. Jefferson23 Jan 2013 #10
or get fired azurnoir Jan 2013 #11
That would be courageous and prinicipled. bemildred Jan 2013 #12
Yep, I agree. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2013 #13
Yeah, it would be... Violet_Crumble Jan 2013 #16
I'd like very much to be surprised, in a good way, with at least one resignation. Jefferson23 Jan 2013 #17
I'm not holding my breath waiting for any resignations, but I'd love to be proven wrong on this one. Violet_Crumble Jan 2013 #18
I don't understand the fuss. aranthus Jan 2013 #19
 

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)
3. I suppose he is.
Tue Jan 1, 2013, 08:29 PM
Jan 2013

Perhaps his ambassadors don't understand the fine art of defending a democracy and apartheid state at the same time.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
5. Well, I'd guess he's upset for some reason, he didn't decide to lecture everybody fortuitously.
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 12:43 AM
Jan 2013

So I'd guess somebody did something he considers unsupportive. And I wonder what it was?

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
7. There is considerable dissent within the ranks at the State Department.
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 10:52 AM
Jan 2013

Apparently that kind of thing is not tolerated for senior diplomats in the Light Unto Humanity.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
9. Certainly. Do you think they just nod their heads and don't provide
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 11:45 AM
Jan 2013

any insight regarding what they hear from their counterparts and how US policy is affecting our standing overseas?

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
14. Actually I agree with you, this is what ambassadors are supposed to do
Thu Jan 3, 2013, 04:47 AM
Jan 2013

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

(35,954 posts)
15. Why are you asking a question of someone you know has you on ignore?
Thu Jan 3, 2013, 04:58 AM
Jan 2013

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...

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
12. That would be courageous and prinicipled.
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 03:00 PM
Jan 2013

That f**ker could kiss my ass goodbye the day he said that to me.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
17. I'd like very much to be surprised, in a good way, with at least one resignation.
Thu Jan 3, 2013, 03:23 PM
Jan 2013

Good to see you Violet.

Violet_Crumble

(35,954 posts)
18. I'm not holding my breath waiting for any resignations, but I'd love to be proven wrong on this one.
Thu Jan 3, 2013, 06:52 PM
Jan 2013

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)
19. I don't understand the fuss.
Thu Jan 3, 2013, 06:58 PM
Jan 2013

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.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Israel/Palestine»Defend government policy ...