Ha’aretz have a very interesting Q&A with Simon McDonald, the British Ambassador to Israel. The readers have not held back, and asked Mr McDonald the really tough questions. Here’s a sample:
Do you find it ironic that IDF officers are being prosecuted for ‘war crimes’ for their roles in anti-terror missions, while the UK is asking Israel for help in training British officers in fighting terror?
Reuven Simon
Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Simon McDonald:
No IDF officers are being prosecuted in the UK. An arrest warrant was issued against General Almog; even if it had been served that would have been only the first step in a long legal process. As it is, the warrant has been withdrawn. I see logic not irony in the close counter-terrorism cooperation between Israel and Britain.
Dear sir, Is it possible that Britain will cancel “Holocaust Day” because it offends Muslims?
Beth Levy
Alon City: Ramat Gan, Israel
Simon McDonald:
No!
Are there any other sovereign nations other than Israel in which the United Kingdom embassy is situated in a city other than that country’s capital? For example, have you considered moving your embassy in France to the coastal town of Montpellier, or do you recognize and respect France’s right and ability to decide where its own capital city is?
Jonathan Cohen
Ramat Gan, Israel
Simon McDonald:
Yes, the British embassy in The Netherlands is in The Hague but Amsterdam is the capital. And my first post was to Jedda, where all embassies to Saudi Arabia were located from the foundation of the state until 1985 when embassies moved to Riyadh – proof that the status quo does not necessarily last forever.
Read the whole thing. You will notice how McDonald is a master at avoiding the questions.
