JERUSALEM, May 16: An Israeli diplomatic row that features high-powered wives and guest-stars Madonna took a new twist on Monday that could cost the country’s leading ambassador his job. The soap-opera-like spat centres on a request by Israel’s ambassador to Washington Danny Ayalon for an official probe into whether Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom’s socialite wife fired an embassy aide for failing to secure her an audience with Madonna.
Foreign ministry sources have suggested Mr Ayalon was trying to divert attention from the dispatch to Washington of a government investigator to look into allegations his wife verbally abused domestic staff at their official residence. In the latest development, a source close to Mr Shalom said he was determined to remove Mr Ayalon from his post, even though the ambassador had won respect in Washington.
“Shalom has lost confidence in him,” the source said.
Offering a break from matters of war and peace that normally dominate Israeli politics, the dispute has been played out in daily newspaper headlines and TV newscasts.
“The fight gets dirtier,” the Israeli daily Maariv headlined its story on the feud, which reflected long-simmering tensions between Mr Shalom and Mr Ayalon, hand-picked by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, over the handling of Israel’s all-important US ties. Mr Ayalon’s three-year term ends in August and the government’s usual practice is to grant an automatic one-year extension.
LEADERSHIP BATTLE: Officials in Mr Sharon’s office said he would block any attempt to dismiss Mr Ayalon before August. The ambassador had angered Mr Shalom by bypassing him and reporting directly to the prime minister, as many previous envoys had done.
But it could be risky for Mr Sharon to keep Mr Ayalon on for another year. He needs Mr Shalom’s support for a leadership battle against Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in their rightist Likud party next year. Mr Shalom is also seen as a potential rival.
Israel Radio reported that the minister would act after the probe of Mr Ayalon’s wife is complete. Israeli officials want the squabble resolved to avoid US perceptions of political disarray as Mr Sharon prepares to evacuate Jewish settlements in Gaza starting in mid-August. “It’s gotten out of hand,” one political source said.
News reports said Mr Shalom’s wife, Judy Shalom Nir Mozes, a flamboyant newspaper heiress and talk-show host, had been incensed at missing her chance to be photographed with Madonna during the pop star’s visit to the Jewish state in September.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted a written complaint from Mr Ayalon alleging that Shalom Nir Mozes then pressed for the dismissal of one of his aides, Liron Petruzil.—Reuters
