Israeli press secretary yanked out of Egypt post for lack of diplomacy

In an attempt by Israel to calm relations with Egypt, the Israeli foreign minister moved the press advisor in Israel's embassy in Cairo Linor Ben Dor, from Cairo, and appointed him to Israel's embassy in Uruguay starting at the beginning of August.

Israel informed Cairo that it will appoint Ilita Yehia in his place.

Diplomatic sources told ArabicNews.com that the Israeli Foreign Ministry's decision to move Ben Dor came after many complains due to his style which was considered by Cairo to be provocative.

Ben Dor launched an attack in statements last week on what he described as the Egyptian authorities' prevention of Egypt's citizens from traveling to Tel Aviv and of Egyptian foreign policy toward Tel Aviv.

Ben Dor also criticized the Egyptian security authorities during the trial of convicted Israeli spy Azam Azam.

The head of the Egyptian consultation council, Mostafa Kamal Helmi, received a protest message from Ben Dor in which he expressed his government's displeasure over one Egyptian newspaper's publication of a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.