The Italian government indicates to Israel that it is uncomfortable with Jerusalem’s choice of its next ambassador to Rome because of his close ties to the settlement movement.
Benny Kashriel, the long-time mayor of the large West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, was chosen by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to be Israel’s next ambassador to Rome back in July, but the Italians have still not approved the appointment.
The Times of Israel has learned that the Italians have sent informal messages to Jerusalem about their concerns over Kashriel’s appointment, although there has been no definitive decision yet.
Kashriel has served as mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, one of the largest West Bank settlements, for the last 31 years and was also the head of the Yesha Council, an umbrella body for the settlement movement, from 1999 to 2001.
According to the Ynet news site, which first reported on the story, President Isaac Herzog has been asked by the Foreign Ministry to discreetly intervene over the issue.
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