Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov has come under harsh criticism for his actions during an official visit to Spain, standing up a state dinner, a move that has led to a diplomatic embarrassment for the Foreign Ministry and State of Israel.
During the seven-day working visit, the minister was to attend an international tourism conference and meet with relevant officials, as well as signing agreements while in Portugal.
The minister was visiting Spain and Portugal, but according to reports, the official visit appears to have been more of a European vacation as the minister canceled an appearance at a diplomatic dinner, opting for a night out on the town instead.
The minister however has a different version of events, explaining he missed the diplomatic dinner that was held last week because a Holocaust Remembrance Day event he attended lasted hours, putting him behind scheduled, placing the blame on the ambassador who arranged his schedule. His absence angered the 50 or so participants, many having paid 50€ for the privilege of joining the minister as the official function.
According to reports, Misezhnikov informed the Israeli envoy in Madrid that he would not be attending the dinner, a notification that came a half hour before the event began. His excuse at the time was that he was simply too tired after a long day, leaving the envoy with diplomatic egg on his face, having to explain to the tens of paid guests.
Israeli Ambassador Rafi Schotz filled in for the minister, seeking to implement damage control, apologizing and excusing the minister, but later, it was learned the tired tourism had not been in his hotel resting, but out on the town.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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4 Responses
ummm…. i wouldn’t blame it on miseznikov… maybe blame it on the spaniards would be more appropriate and likely.
Reply to #1
What’s your logic? He has a job to do and people pay expecting him to show up and he just stands them up and spends the night partying? What is he a child? At what point do you grow up and start doing your job?
The Israeli mimister made (or sent on his behalf)the excuse.
And then the Israeli minster instead of resting after claiming to be so tired went “out on the town”.
In my non Halachic opinion I personally think this may be a Chillul H-sh-m and certainly is inexcuesable.
Spaniards will no doubt for years, now be talking about the “contemptuous Israelis”.
And how will anyone answer them, since it obviously happened?
id blame it on the spaniards because its EXACTLY THE KIND OF THING THEY USE THIER INTELLIGENCE FOR.
from person experiance im guessing its about an 85% chance or higher that spaniards did it on purpose. its what they do. its the most antisemitic nation on earth in the center of the most antisemitic region. its nothing new.