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Raleb Majadele
Photo: Hagai Aharon

Meeting with Israeli minister may ruin Iranian diplomat's nomination

Photograph shows Iranian minister, nominated for ambassador post, with Raleb Majadele in 2008

Iran's minister of science and technology, Mohammad Mehdi Zahedi, may be denied a diplomatic post due to a past meeting with former Israeli Minister Raleb Majadele.

 

Zahedi was nominated to serve as an ambassador at one of Iran's embassies abroad until a conservative website decided to publish a photograph of him together with Majadele, who was then Israel's science, culture, and sport minister.  


Zahedi (left) seated next to Majadele

 

The website, Jahan, which is affiliated with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reported Sunday that during a 2008 convention in Jordan Zahedi took part in a discussion attended by Jews and sat with Majadele during a closed-door session.

 

The report was immediately picked up by most Iranian news agencies, one of which said, "Despite efforts to keep the meeting from leaking to the press, it has happened. The rumor that he will be appointed ambassador caused Jahan to publish the photos, probably in order to warn against choosing an ambassador who doesn't abide by the rules."

 

Because Iran doesn't recognize Israel, its ministers are expected to refrain from attending conferences at which its representatives are present and are forbidden from meeting with Israeli diplomats.

 

Most of the Iranian reports therefore expressed the opinion that the discovery would likely prevent Zahedi from receiving the post.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.07.09, 14:00
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