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JERUSALEM (IPS/GIN) - The man who, for the last eight years, embodied
Israel's secret operations and had a penchant for the use of forged
documents by his spies has been ordered by his former boss to relinquish
his own diplomatic passport.

According to Israel's Channel Two June 19, the former head of the
Mossad intelligence agency Meir Dagan was told to return his diplomatic
passport immediately. The report suggested the spy talked too much on
sensitive matters such as Iran's nuclear quest and the Palestinian drive
for UN-endorsed declaration of statehood.

The television report assumed that the request might point to a
desire “to get even” with Mr. Dagan, an outspoken critic of Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In reaction to the report, the Prime Minister's office stated
matter-of-factly that “diplomatic passports are given to officials in
order to assist them in their duties. According to the regulation, an
individual no longer assuming an official position is requested to forgo
his document.”

The Foreign Ministry, the statement added, allowed Mr. Dagan to keep
his diplomatic passport for upcoming trips. Upon his return from abroad,
he should return it immediately.

Yet, the decision is unusual. Customarily, a person who was issued
such passport and is no longer assuming... >>>