Israel apologizes after diplomat uses Singapore flag as tablecloth

Israel apologized Thursday for the misconduct of a junior diplomat at the embassy who had used Singapore’s flag as a tablecloth during a party, sparking a diplomatic uproar against Israel.

Local media said Singapore’s foreign ministry had summoned the Israeli ambassador after a police report was filed about the incident on Sunday and the identity of the diplomat was revealed.

“The Embassy of the State of Israel in Singapore was appalled to learn of deplorable behaviour displayed by one of its junior staff members and expresses its sincere apologies, ” the Israeli embassy said in a press statement.

It said that the director general of Israel’s foreign ministry “has instructed that requisite strong disciplinary procedure will be adopted against” the erring diplomat.

The statement said the disciplinary measures reflected “the severity with which Israel views this incident, especially in light of the close and friendly relationship between Singapore and Israel”.

Singapore’s foreign ministry said that “the misuse of the Singapore flag is a serious offence” and welcomed the embassy’s apology and assurances that the diplomat concerned would be punished.

“All persons, including diplomats and foreigners in Singapore, must respect and abide by our laws and regulations, ” the foreign ministry said.

Neither the Israeli and Singapore statements gave details of the incident, but local media said it referred to the Singapore flag being used as a table cloth during a party hosted by the diplomat at his condominium in Singapore.

A netizen who posted a photo of the flag being misused said he was “shocked” to see a group of caucasians who “actually used our Singapore flag as a table cloth!”