Chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Simcha Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionist Party, accused employees at the Israeli embassy in France on Monday of actively working against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during his recent visit to the country.
Rothman called on Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to investigate what he referred to as a suspected “breach of trust” by these employees.
During a news report on News 12, it was revealed that the acting ambassador and other embassy employees in France actively hindered Smotrich’s visit. The report stated that they reached out to officials in the Jewish community and took steps to prevent meetings between them and the Finance Minister, Rothman said.
The Israeli Embassy in Paris has been operating without a permanent ambassador since Ambassador German’s resignation, raising concerns about its commitment to facilitating diplomatic visits.
“It is well-known that Israeli embassies worldwide are expected to conduct themselves professionally, impartially, and without political bias. The behavior described in the aforementioned report is a matter of utmost seriousness, undermining the very purpose of the embassy’s operations and the integrity of the entire foreign service. We cannot tolerate a situation where embassy employees engage in distinctly political actions that harm the Israeli government’s position in France and the international community,” Rothman emphasized.
Religious Zionist party head MK Bezalel Smotrich seen after coalition talks with Shas chairman MK Arie Deri and Likud Head MK Benjamin Netanyahu outside a hotel in Jerusalem, December 5, 2022. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)During Smotrich’s visit, the Chargé d’affaires did not accompany him upon arrival, and a representative from the embassy made a last-minute appearance at the memorial ceremony for the victims of the “Hyper Cacher” attack, merely symbolizing their limited involvement.
According to senior members of the French Jewish community, an individual within the office of the Chargé d’affaires actively sought to disrupt the visit. This person encouraged embassy staff to voice opposition to judicial reform, labeling it a “coup d’etat.” Moreover, they urged prominent members of the Jewish community to boycott meetings with Finance Minister Smotrich.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining professionalism
Rothman’s accusation highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism and adhering to diplomatic protocols within Israeli embassies.
Embassies play a crucial role in representing their respective countries’ interests and fostering positive relationships with host nations. Any actions that deviate from this mandate not only jeopardize bilateral relations but also undermine the embassy’s credibility and the diplomatic service as a whole.
The Israeli Foreign Minister has yet to respond to these accusations. However, it is expected that his office will initiate a comprehensive inquiry into the matter to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address any potential misconduct by Israeli embassy staff in France.
The investigation will likely focus on determining the extent of the employees’ involvement, their motivations, and whether any breaches of trust or violations of diplomatic protocols occurred.
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