Israeli diplomat discusses ‘take down’ of UK politician; Israel apologizes

Israel has apologized for offensive remarks made by one of its staffers in the UK.

The Israeli embassy has apologized to the United Kingdom and Deputy Foreign Secretary Sir Alan Duncan for comments made by one of its staff members on plans “to take [him] down” due to his criticism of Israel’s construction in Judea and Samaria.

The comments, made by embassy staffer Shai Masot, were secretly captured on film during a six-month undercover operation by Al Jazeera‘s Investigative Unit, which revealed alleged plots by the Israeli diplomat and a British civil servant to destroy the careers of senior politicians they deem anti-Israel.

In conversation with Maria Strizzolo, then chief of staff to MP Robert Halfon, Masot asked if he could provide her with names of MPs to “take down.”

Masot mentioned Duncan, who in 2014 said Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria represent an “ever-deepening stain on the face of the globe.” The British diplomat also likened the situation in Hebron to “apartheid.”

Strizzolo later hinted that “a little scandal” might see Duncan dismissed, saying that she had a strategy of manipulation to ensure Israel remains at the top of the UK’s foreign policy agenda.

At the same dinner table conversation, Masot described British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Duncan’s boss, as an “idiot … without any kind of responsibilities,” while Strizzolo said he was “solid on Israel.”

Johnson is considered a close friend of Israel.

In response to Al Jazeera‘s report, the Israeli embassy tweeted that Masot would be “ending his term shortly,” adding that Israeli Ambassador to the UK Mark Regev called Duncan to apologize “and made clear that the embassy considered the remarks to be completely unacceptable.”

More Diplomatic Headaches for Israel?

Al Jazeera said that this revelation concerning Israel’s diplomatic mission to the UK is only the first in a series. Their undercover investigation has supposedly revealed how “the Israeli government is in the midst of a brazen, covert influence campaign in Britain.”

For half a year, Robin (alias), an undercover reporter working with Al Jazeera, met with “members of Britain’s lobby network that enjoys strong support from the Israeli government by way of the Israeli embassy in London.”

Robin posed as an activist with strong sympathies towards Israel who was keen to help combat the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement prominent in Britain.

By: World Israel News Staff

BDSJudea and SamariaMark RegevUnited Kingdom