Israel contrite over Turkey ambassador snub

Israel’s deputy foreign minister has said “disrespect… is not my way”, in an attempt to defuse a row over his treatment of Turkey’s ambassador.

Turkey had demanded an apology after Danny Ayalon summoned its ambassador to rebuke him over a TV series and ensured he was photographed on a lower chair.

Mr Ayalon reaffirmed his protest, but said in future he would behave “in a diplomatically acceptable manner”.

The TV series depicts Israeli intelligence agents as baby-snatchers.

“It is not my way to disrespect ambassadors’ honour, and in future I will clarify my position in a diplomatically acceptable manner,” Mr Ayalon said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Turkey summoned the Israeli ambassador to Ankara to express its “annoyance”.

And the Turkish foreign ministry said it expected steps to be taken to compensate its ambassador, Ahmet Oguz Celikkol.

In a statement, the ministry said it awaited “an explanation and apology” for Mr Ayalon’s “attitude”.

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