September 9, 2014 1:00pm by David Farrar

Israel being boofheads

Israel is refusing to accept New Zealand’s ambassador because he will also have contact with Palestinian officials.

While Israel insists it is upholding a long-established protocol, diplomats in Wellington say New Zealand’s ambassador to Israel has had contact with Palestine since 2008 with no issue being raised.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has confirmed that Israeli officials had advised in recent days that they would “not accept as ambassador a person who was also a representative to the Palestinian Authority”.

Prime Minister John Key said he had received a “10-second” briefing on the matter, but he confirmed that it was his understanding that ambassador to Israel has historically handled relations with Palestine.

“My understanding of the position is the Israeli’s are saying whoever is accredited to Israel. They won’t accept if they are also accredited to Palestine.

“Historically the case has been whoever we accredited for Israel we also accredited for Palestine.”

I’m pro-Israel in many areas, but they are over-reaching on this one. It is not for them to dictate who our Ambassador can also be accredited to. If they keep their stance up, then we should simply not accredit anyone to Israel.