Lieberman summons diplomat who criticized gov't
Israel's consul general in Boston, Nadav Tamir, who sent out harsh letter against Netanyahu government's policies summoned for meeting with Foreign Ministry director general
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman gave an order to summon Nadav Tamir, Israel's consul general in Boston, over a letter distributed by the latter in which he harshly criticized the government's policies and the damage he said it has caused to the ties with the US.
Tamir is expected in Israel at the start of next week and will be meeting with Foreign Ministry Director-General Yossi Gal.
It remained unclear whether any steps will be taken against the diplomat. Diplomatic sources in the Foreign Ministry hold high esteem for Tamir, and sources told Ynet that he did what was required in a system where intellectual independence is important.
"An image of a conflict between the Israeli government and the Obama administration is harming the support for Israel in the public opinion, much more than the criticism over the aggressiveness and harm caused to civilians during Operation Cast Lead or the battle against Hezbollah in 2006," Tamir wrote in his letter.
The letter, signed by the consul general, was spread in wide circulation among Israeli delegates in the US and Foreign Ministry officials, and was also sent to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lieberman demanded his ministry's director general examine how Tamir's letter reached the media and whether he himself was responsible for leaking it.
Tamir will also be asked to explain why he did not relay his reservations to the foreign minister in private but distributed them on such a wide scale.
The three-page document, titled 'Sad thoughts on Israel-US relations', includes some harsh statements on the deteriorating relations between Washington and Jerusalem.
"The favored Israeli approach is to always say to the Americans 'yes, but…' over 'no'. It has been clear to our decision makers that this is the most important power in the world, as well as our closest ally.
"Therefore, we must sacrifice tactical issues for the sake of strategic ties… One can mention Prime Minister Sharon's positive response to the Road Map, despite a long list of reservations.
"It should be mentioned that there have always been differences in the two countries' approaches, whether in terms of the settlements or, for example, in terms of Hamas' participation in the Palestinian elections, but the level of coordination between the governments was maintained," he wrote.
