Silvan strikes back
Photo: Yotam Frum
Ayalon's last stand in DC
Photo: AP
Peterzil: Almost fired because he could not get Madonna
Madonna at prayer in Israel
Photo: David Rollings, Kabbalah Center
End of road for Ayalon
Foreign Minister Shalom breaks silence over very public spat with ambassador in Washington; says he won’t renew his term
After a week of keeping quiet, Silvan Shalom told his side of the story on Channel 2’s TV program “Meet the Press.” Still, the foreign minister had trouble answering some of the questions regarding the Madonna-Peterzil scandal.
Asked if his wife attempted to fire diplomatic aide Liran Peterzil because he failed to arrange a meeting between her and Madonna, Shalom answered that he and his wife were not in the country when the pop star visited Israel.
“A producer from the Kabbalah Center responsible for the proposed meeting was quoted in this very studio as saying that she had called the foreign minister’s office,” Shalom said, “and was told that we would be abroad at the time.”
And the proof?
When asked about alleged audiocassettes in Ambassador Danny Ayalon’s possession that prove his assertion about Peterzil’s attempted firing, Shalom attacked the nature of their taping.
“First of all, the fact that people are being taped is reason enough to denounce him. People who tape their supervisors have crossed a line, and they must be dealt with,” Shalom said.
The foreign minister also said that he would not extend Ambassador Ayalon’s term in Washington.
“With all due respect, three years is more than enough. The prime minister has the right to change the head of the Shin Bet; the defense minister can replace the IDF chief of staff, and the foreign minister has similar rights,” Shalom said.
