In Dani Dayan Controversy

In Dani Dayan Controversy, 'Israelis Have No Shame'

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon berates 'shameful' attempts to stop former Yesha Council head's promotion to ambassador.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon sharply criticized the attempts of radical leftists for Israel to appoint former Yesha Council leader Dani Dayan the ambassador to Brazil on Sunday, calling the affair "shameful, dangerous, and ugly." 

"Beyond the fact that Danny Dayan is involved in the political echelon elected by the majority to lead the State of Israel, and everyone who knows Danny knows that he is a person of values, [a person who is] decent and worthy to represent the country - the attempt of certain elements to slander Israel [...] in this way is shameful, dangerous and ugly," Ya'alon said. 

It's due to "the behavior of these officials," where "Israeli civilians have lost their shame," he added, that Israel has become the object of criticism on the international level. 

"In any political controversy, it is better to keep the arguments in-house, rather than work through evil means that, first and foremost, harm Israel and its citizens," he concluded. 

The campaign against Dayan's appointment is reportedly being run by the diplomatic committee of the Peace NGO Forum, an organization that coordinates activities between Israeli and Palestinian NGOs that support a two-state solution. The forum is headed by former Meretz MK Mossi Raz.

Three former ambassadors - ambassador to South Africa Ilan Baruch, former ambassador to France Eli Bar-Navi, and former Foreign Ministry director-general, have spearheaded the campaign against Dayan's appointment, as well as other leftist activists. 

Several Brazilian members of parliament are reportedly exerting pressure on President Dilma Rousseff to reject Dayan's appointment.

Liel told Arutz Sheva Monday that he and other members of the group are not directing their effort at Dayan personally.

"Dayan is a symbol, because Brazil very consistently opposes the idea of a binational state, it opposes the settlements. And the Israeli government's move is intended to put it to the test on this matter,” he explained.