UK expels Israeli envoy in passport row
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2010, Wednesday
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BRITAIN expelled an Israeli diplomat yesterday over the alleged use of forged UK passports in the assassination of a Hamas operative in a suspected Mossad hit. It was the first time Britain has ousted an Israeli diplomat in more than 20 years.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons that the diplomat, who has not been named, was removed from London following an investigation into the use of 12 fake UK passports in the January 20 slaying in Dubai of Hamas agent Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.
"We have concluded that there are compelling reasons to believe that Israel was responsible for the misuse of the British passports," Miliband said.
Britain had demanded a formal assurance from Israel that it would never again misuse British passports and warned British citizens that their identity details may be vulnerable if they visit Israel.
Miliband said an investigation by Britain's Serious and Organized Crime Agency found that the forged British passports were copies of authentic documents handed over to Israeli officials for inspection either in Israel or in other countries.
"The fact that this was done by a country which is a friend, with significant diplomatic, cultural, business and personal ties to the UK, only adds insult to injury. No country or government could stand by in such a situation," Miliband said.
Israel's ambassador said he was "disappointed by the decision" but pledged that the two countries would still have close ties.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons that the diplomat, who has not been named, was removed from London following an investigation into the use of 12 fake UK passports in the January 20 slaying in Dubai of Hamas agent Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.
"We have concluded that there are compelling reasons to believe that Israel was responsible for the misuse of the British passports," Miliband said.
Britain had demanded a formal assurance from Israel that it would never again misuse British passports and warned British citizens that their identity details may be vulnerable if they visit Israel.
Miliband said an investigation by Britain's Serious and Organized Crime Agency found that the forged British passports were copies of authentic documents handed over to Israeli officials for inspection either in Israel or in other countries.
"The fact that this was done by a country which is a friend, with significant diplomatic, cultural, business and personal ties to the UK, only adds insult to injury. No country or government could stand by in such a situation," Miliband said.
Israel's ambassador said he was "disappointed by the decision" but pledged that the two countries would still have close ties.
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