Áras at centre of diplomatic gaffe - Unsettling exchange

THE unsettling exchange between Áras an Uachtaráin, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli embassy, over the departure of its envoy, Boaz Modai, is a cause for concern.

The Israeli embassy claims that the President’s office failed to organise a customary final meeting with the ambassador, in advance of him leaving his post this week. Mr Modai’s officials claimed they notified the Department of Foreign Affairs of his impending departure more than two months ago, with the expectation that the meeting would be arranged.

The department says they never received a request for a meeting and Áras officials are equally adamant that they did not receive anything from Foreign Affairs. This will, unfortunately, bring back memories of a far more serious snub to Israel’s former Ambassador to Ireland, Zion Evrony, on a visit to Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, where he signed the visitors’ book at the town’s civil offices.