Australia’s ambassador to Israel Chris Cannan, who along with other diplomats from Western powers did not attend the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem, could not attend because he had taken ‘‘personal leave’’ and was out of the country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday confirmed Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had not instructed Mr Cannan in relation to his travel arrangements.
The Australian understands Mr Cannan received the invitation on May 8 but had pre-planned personal leave on the day of the diplomatic reception on May 13.
“The minister did not instruct the ambassador with regard to his travel. The ambassador was on personal leave,” a DFAT spokeswoman said.
Prominent Jewish community leaders, traditional supporters of the Coalition’s stance on Israel, have hit out at the government over his absence.
All 86 countries with diplomatic representation in Israel were invited to the event, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said, but only about a third said they would attend.
Read the article by Primrose Riordan & Jacquelin Magnay in The Australian.