Israel closes embassy in Eritrea after ambassador blocked

Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid has approved the closure of the regime’s embassy in Eritrea as authorities in the African country have blocked the arrival of a diplomat from the regime since 2020.

Lapid, who is still serving as Israeli foreign minister, took the decision on Saturday to shutter the diplomatic mission in the Eritrean capital city of Asmara, after the local government had been delaying Ishmael Khaldi to take up the post despite his appointment.

According to Israeli media outlets, the embassy has remained empty in the aftermath of the Eritrean government's decision, and many of its staffers are currently in their homes without doing any particular tasks.

The outlets added that the Tel Aviv regime spends tens of thousands of dollars per month on rent and other fees for the employees.

The last Israeli ambassador left Asmara in September 2018. Since then, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has sent a temporary administrator for the embassy from time to time.

Until April 2020, the head of the embassy's security was the only Israeli representative in Eritrea, and his wife was responsible for the administrative work.

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