'Political appointment to Cairo wrong'

Foreign Minister Lieberman's decision to name confidante Shaul Kamisa Israel's next ambassador to Egypt infuriates ministry officials who say such move may harm Israel's relations with neighbor form south. Position's sensitivities require a professional diplomat, says former ambassador

Yael Levy |Published: 07.12.09 , 20:15

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's decision to name Yisrael Beiteinu member Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Shaul Kamisa Israel's next ambassador to Cairo was slammed by ministry officials Sunday.

Kamisa, they said, would be a political appointment, and such a move can only harm Israel's relations with Egypt.

Kamisa is currently under police investigation. He is suspected of bribery offences in connection with his mayoral campaign in Hazor HaGlilit in 2008 – which he eventually lost.

Former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt Eli Shaked told Ynet that while any political appointment is less than desirable, it is twice as bad when it comes to Cairo. The position, he added, requires professionalism, a profound knowledge of national diplomacy and experience: "Not speaking the language, for instance, is always a major fault, and it is highly unacceptable in a country like Egypt."

Diplomatic savvy is key, he added, "Especially considering the fact that Cairo's elite shuns the Israeli Embassy. (The ambassador) is likely to be the focus of blatant attacks by the media and he will not have the ability to act freely."

A political appointment may also compromise the appointee's commitment to the position: "Such people know they only have a short term in office, because they are not a part of the diplomatic corps, so they are naturally less committed than a career diplomat," said Shaked.

Zvi Mazel, former ambassador to Sweden and Egypt, agrees: "One should aim to name professional ambassadors from the Foreign Ministry; seasoned diplomats who are familiar with the relevant (diplomatic) customs, especially when it comes to Egypt."

Mazel added that the person chosen to represent Israel in Cairo "must be familiar with the history of Islam and must be able to do his job discreetly… Sending in a political figure is missing the point."