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'We'll look like a bunch of hedonists clinking glasses at cocktails'
Photo: Index Open
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
Photo: Noam Moskovich

Avigdor Lieberman's reality show

Foreign Ministry urges Israel's ambassadors abroad to participate in television program documenting their lives. Diplomats outraged, slam 'ridiculous and foolish' decision

'Big Brother' embassy-style: For the first time in its history, the Foreign Ministry has decided to be part of a television series documenting the lives of Israel's ambassadors abroad.

 

Senior diplomats were outraged by the decision. "It's a trap. We're going to look like a bunch of hedonists clinking glasses at cocktails," one of them said.

 

On Monday, all Israeli ambassadors abroad received a discreet, surprising offer from the Foreign Ministry's Media and Public Affairs department: To let cameras into their homes and embassies as part of a new documentary series.

 

The five-episode program, "The Ambassadors," will be broadcast on Channel 10 and will document their professional and personal life.

 

"We would like to get to know the ambassador's life from the professional aspect, but also to escort the more personal moments," the program's producers wrote to the ambassadors. "To get to know the people around you, from your family to your driver and bodyguard, celebrate with you at cocktails, select a suit and tie."

 

The producers added that the series would be filmed in the coming fall and will be aired during prime time. "The exposure will help boost the image of Israeli diplomacy," they stressed.

 

The Foreign Ministry included the production's letter in their own appeal, which urged the ambassadors to participate in the television series.

 

Big houses, luxurious cars

The request quickly became the talk of the day among Israeli diplomats. In the past, the ministry rejected similar requests, mainly for security reasons and for fear of a distortion of Israel's image. And indeed, some of the ambassadors were enraged by the letter.

 

"What will we get out of it? They'll show ambassadors, big houses, luxurious cars. Not the manpower shortage and the service in tough areas," said one of the envoys.

 

"It's a ridiculous and foolish decision," another ambassador stated. "From the descriptions of a bodyguard and cocktail and driver and tie, it's clear that this is all wrong."

 

The Foreign Ministry's deputy director-general for media and public affairs, Yigal Caspi, said in response Tuesday that the decision was made by the ministry's management.

 

"It's important to expose the ambassadors' real work abroad. It's not just cocktails," he said. "If the people of Israel see what ambassadors do, it could serve as very good publicity for diplomats and the Foreign Ministry."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.17.11, 15:44
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