Statement from the outgoing Israeli ambassador to Ireland, received via email:
It is customary for the President of Ireland to invite Ambassadors to Áras an Uachtaráin for a meeting prior to their final departure from the country. Previous Ambassadors of Israel have enjoyed fruitful meetings with former Presidents of Ireland prior to their departure from Ireland.
The current Ambassador of Israel, Boaz Modai, who will be departing later Ireland this week, was not invited to a meeting by President Higgins. This is despite the fact that the Ambassador's date of departure was officially conveyed through the usual diplomatic channels more than two months ago, with the purpose of facilitating a meeting between the President and Ambassador Modai. The Embassy of Israel regrets that this meeting did not take place.
People who complained received this email:
On behalf of the President, Michael D. Higgins, I would like to thank you for your recent e-mail in regard to the departure of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland and I would like to take this opportunity to briefly explain the President's interaction with the Diplomatic Corps.
Shortly after their appointment, Ambassadors to Ireland formally present their credentials to the President at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin. The President also invites all members of the Diplomatic Corps to an annual reception in Áras an Uachtaráin and he regularly meets Ambassadors at various other events during the year. Some Ambassadors formally request to visit the President at the conclusion of their posting to Ireland. All such requests received by the President in 2015 have been facilitated.
No such request was received by the President from the Israeli Ambassador or on his behalf. Had such a request been received, it would, of course, have been treated positively, consistent with the President's courteous and professional approach to the entire Diplomatic Corps.
I hope that this clarifies the position for you.
Kind regards
Conor Ó Raghallaigh
Deputy Secretary General to the President
So the question is whether other outgoing ambassadors explicitly requested a meeting with Higgins.
