Last update - 07:52 06/11/2005
Damning report could soon force Israel's U.S. envoy to quit
By Zvi Zrahiya, Haaretz Correspondent
Israel's ambassador to the United States, Danny Ayalon, will be forced to resign his
post shortly, according to government officials who have looked over the Civil
Service Commission's report on his affairs.
The commission, which submitted its report to the State Prosecutor's Office last
week, recommended that Ayalon face disciplinary charges.
The 28-page report contained damning testimony regarding the behavior of Ayalon and
his wife, Anne, toward employees at the embassy in Washington, workers at their
residence, and attempts on the part of the ambassador to impede the disciplinary
inquiry conducted by the commission's special investigator, Netanel Levitt, who
traveled to the United States twice to collect evidence.
The officials said publication of the report will cause a public outcry, and it will
be very difficult for Ayalon to remain in his post afterward. The officials added
that the commission could decide to suspend Ayalon or assign him to an alternative
position.
Moreover, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who does not want Ayalon to remain as
Israel's ambassador to the U.S., has the authority to recall the ambassador on the
grounds that his actions have prejudiced the image of the state.
The decisions regarding the steps that will be taken against Ayalon will be made by
Civil Service Commissioner Shmuel Hollander and State Prosecutor Eran Shendar. In
the coming days, the latter will be asked to render his opinion and add his remarks
to the report.
Prior to any decision on suspending Ayalon, the ambassador will be afforded a
hearing, after which Shendar will have to decide whether or not to accept the
commission's recommendation to press disciplinary charges. The disciplinary tribunal
could then take a number of steps, including a reprimand, a fine and even dismissal.
The commission initiated its inquiry into Ayalon's behavior at the embassy some six
months ago. It also looked into complaints regarding the actions of Ayalon's wife
toward household workers, as well as allegations that Ayalon offered perks to
embassy workers in an effort to persuade them to testify in his favor.
Ayalon has denied these allegations, and others, including one that said his wife
hired a woman for three months for the sole purpose of organizing his daughter's bat
mitzvah celebration.
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