Israel Ambassador to Britain Speaks Poor English

It is impossible to strive for an advantageous image of the country when some politicians and diplomats speak poor English
The Jerusalem Post website reported on Friday that members of Britain's Jewish community are anxious about the poor knowledge of English of Israel Ambassador to Great Britain, Soviet emigrant Zvi Hefetz.

Members of the community requested Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom to appoint the next ambassador to Great Britain with better knowledge of English.

Activists believing that Israel's policy provokes rise of anti-Semitism in Europe say that it is impossible to strive for an advantageous image of the country when some politicians and diplomats speak poor English.

Meanwhile, Hefetz himself admits that he speaks poor English and says he is ready to learn the language. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has no doubts as to the ability of the emigrant from the Soviet Union who has achieved much success in the military, juridical and business spheres to succeed in his diplomatic career. The issue of Hefetz' professional appropriateness is being considered now.

Ha'aretz reported on Friday that opponents of the Israeli ambassador to Great Britain in Israel's Foreign Ministry called into question the ability of Hefetz to be a diplomat. The opponents suspect the Soviet emigrant of falsifying his curriculum vitae and concealment of some facts from his life.