Slippery Slope

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beitenu) was questioned under caution on suspicion of breach of trust in the case of the ambassador to Belarus. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon (Israel Beitenu) said that Israel will not cooperate with UN Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission established to probe the effects of settlements on Palestinian human rights. He added that “As far as Israel is concerned, the U.N. committee has no effect – political nor moral – and therefore we will not allow them to work here”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially complained to the Knesset, that the Head of Hadash (Arab Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) , MK Mohammed Baraka, was sent abroad by the Palestinian Authority, and represented the PA positions there.

(Hebrew)

Five weeks after having reached an agreement with the Ministry of Finance, the union of workers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering renewing their strike. They say the Ministry of Finance has broken off contact with them and is not implementing the agreement that was reached.

(Hebrew)

Examination of the pay stubs of some of the diplomats employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that some of them earn close to minimum wage (for an employee with six years of seniority) or almost the average wage (an employee with twenty years of seniority.) (Hebrew)

Members of the South African parliament who visited Ramallah last week say that they had been attacked by Israeli soldiers during a demonstration at a Palestinian village near Bethlehem. “We were attacked with tear gas and shock grenades, and pushed by the Israeli police in Ramallah.” Sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs state that it is possible that delegation members distorted the events, in order to stir up spirits in preparation for the International Anti-Imperialist Youth Festival. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed surprise about the delegation having visited Ramallah “but not finding it appropriate to hold meetings in Israel.” (Hebrew)

Danny Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister, is promoting a new initiative which calls on the Palestinians to recognize Jews originally from Arabic-speaking countries as refugees. Under the initiative, which was put in place by Jewish-American JJAC organization, Israelis from Arabic-speaking countries will demand monetary compensation for the property they left behind. (Hebrew, English)

Representatives of Israel’s army in Israel’s embassies around the world were instructed to carry out the work of Foreign Service employees, who have declared sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Workers’ Committee has sent a letter to the Chief of Staff asking that their picket line not be crossed.