Lapid closes Israeli embassy in Eritrea following obstructions
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Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid approves the closure of the Israeli embassy in Eritrea after the Eritrean government obstructed the arrival of the ambassador for two years.
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Israeli occupation Ambassador to Eritrea Ismael Khaldi
Israeli media revealed Saturday that the Israeli occupation Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid approved the closure of the Israeli embassy in Eritrea.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Lapid approved the closure of the embassy after the Eritrean government obstructed the arrival of the Israeli ambassador for two years despite the approval of his appointment.
According to Israeli media, the Eritrean government's decision led to the absence of an Israeli ambassador for four years in Eritrea's capital, Asmara.
It is noteworthy that the Israeli occupation appointed its ambassador to Eritrea, but the latter refused to ratify his appointment before agreeing at a later time.
Israeli media reported that many Israeli embassy employees are currently in their homes without doing any tasks, noting that the occupation spends tens of thousands of dollars per month on rent and pension fees for employees of the embassy.
The media indicated that the last Israeli occupation ambassador left Asmara in September 2018. Since then, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has sent a temporary administrator for the embassy from time to time.
Until April 2020, the head of the embassy's security was the only Israeli representative in Eritrea, and his wife was responsible for the administrative work.
The Israeli media mentioned that at the beginning of April 2021, following the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Israeli Foreign Ministry decided to evacuate the embassy. ​​The embassy has been abandoned since then.
It is noteworthy that in July 2021, the Israeli occupation government approved the appointment of Ismael Khaldi as its ambassador to Eritrea, but the approval of his appointment was delayed by the Eritrean authorities.
