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Last update - 23:31 13/08/2009
Consul to Boston 'regrets' leaked memo rebuking government
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Nadav Tamir, Israel news 

Israel's Consul-General in Boston Nadav Tamir was censured on Thursday after being summoned by the Foreign Ministry over a memo he had written criticizing Israel's policy vis-a-vis the U.S.

In the memo, which was intended for internal use only but was leaked to the media, Tamir warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public spat with the U.S. administration over construction in West Bank settlements was causing Israel strategic damage.

Tamir met with Foreign Ministry Director General Yossi Gal on Thursday, as specified by the summons, and apologized for the way the incident unfolded.
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"There was no intention for the content of the memo to go beyond the internal correspondence [between Tamir and] his superiors, and he regrets the interpretation that the incident sparked," Channel 10 quoted Gal as saying.

Following the consultation, Gal censured Tamir for lack of judgment in the way that he had disseminated the memo to a wide list of recipients. The consul-general acknowledged his culpability and said that he regretted the fact that the memo was leaked to the public.

Tamir added that he understands the fact that the holder of a public office cannot publicly criticize the policies of the government that assigned him to his post, and that he sees his job as an opportunity to represent Israel and its elected government.

Gal stressed that in accordance with the instructions issued by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman at a ministry meeting on August 10, he expects every employee to transmit all reports and assessments to their direct superiors by use of proper channels and with the utmost care to follow protocol. Any employee who wishes to share his feelings can approach the foreign minister or the ministry director at any time, Gal explained, and they will be answered.

The consul-general was scheduled to return to his office in Boston at the beginning of next week.

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      1.   "Somehow" the memo was leaked. 17:47  |  Jewish State 13/08/09
      2.   Ostrich finds hole in ground 18:09  |  Mark Lincoln 13/08/09
      3.   So the Moldovan bar bouncer was right after all 18:15  |  Man deVoshkes 13/08/09
      4.   Truth Still Prevails 18:33  |  Vladek 13/08/09
      5.   Who leaked? 19:03  |  John 13/08/09
      6.   Nadav Tamir 19:03  |  Aviva Bock 13/08/09
      7.   Mark, who is that intelligent American Jew, hope not you! 19:07  |  Man deVoshkes 13/08/09
      8.   Answer to #4 - Vladek 19:09  |  Col [Res] Cohen 13/08/09
      9.   Lieberman afraid of Obama 19:19  |  bronxite10 13/08/09
      10.   always the same 19:30  |  edgar 13/08/09
      11.   If israel gives up more territory that will do real damage! 20:08  |  Avi 13/08/09
      12.   This admin is not Kadima and will not cave to Nobama. Sorry Rahm 20:09  |  4:20 13/08/09
      13.   And what will he suggest to rescue the latest scapegoat that 20:32  |  lily 13/08/09
      14.   Consul to Boston `regrets` leaked memo rebuking government 21:14  |  flora 13/08/09
      15.   Col Cohen-- truth, paranoia,a nd Israeli self-destruction 21:31  |  Dolphin 13/08/09
      16.   What should be regreatable about the truth being leaked... 21:45  |  Dutch 13/08/09
      17.   # 8, Cohen --- Response 22:04  |  Vladek 13/08/09
      18.   He does not know American Jews and he is simply boring to listen 22:15  |  AlexK 13/08/09
      19.   Avi..er what have the Arabs actually taken??? 01:50  |  CJ 14/08/09
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