Payback? Former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan was ordered to surrender his diplomatic passport without delay, Channel 2 reported Sunday.
It is customary for high-ranking officials who leave office to keep their diplomatic passport until it expiries naturally.
| Aftermath |
|
| Ex-Mossad chief inspires 'security' bill / Moran Azulay |
|
Meir Dagan's controversial statements on Iran, peace process prompt Likud MK to draft bill calling to restrict former defense establishment personnel's access to media |
| Full story |
|
|
|
The report hedged that the somewhat urgent request might indicate a desire "to get even" with Dagan, whose recent public comments about
Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, did not go over well with
Israel's top political echelon.
A diplomatic passport, by nature, grants its owner certain mitigation while traveling overseas, as well diplomatic immunity to some extent.
Dagan reportedly asked to use the passport for several scheduled trips, but was refused.
The Prime Minister's Office said that the request from Dagan was made according to protocol, further adding that "contrary to Channel 2's report, the Foreign Ministry allowed Dagan to keep his passport, in favor of several known trips, after which he will return in.
"According to State protocol, an individual who's term in diplomatic office ends must surrender their diplomatic passport immediately."