First Israeli Ambassador to Belarus: “Not to know about political prisoners is strange”

Actions of the new Israeli Ambassador have not met understanding in his home land as well.

Radio Svaboda has asked the first Ambassador of Israel to Belarus Eli Valk to comment on the statements of Israeli Ambassador to Belarus Yosef Shagal.

“The furious reaction of the press-conference of Israeli Ambassador to Belarus Yosef Shagal created my mixed feelings.

On the one hand, as a person who had arrived as an ambassador to Belarus once as well, I realized that I should get acquainted with the country I am going to beforehand. It was true for 1993, and in 2012. I think Mr. Shagal also got acquainted with the situation in Belarus. And to say that he does not know there are political prisoners in Belarus while it is an open secret for the whole world is strange.

On the other hand, I can understand the ambassador who has just arrived. Any ambassador in such a status cannot and should not assail with criticism on the internal political situation in the country at once.

One can and should express one’s attitude to human rights violations in general, in every country. One could say, I will say more when I learn more, but even now I condemn such violations. There are many ways to express one’s opinion.

It is clear that Yosef Shagal had chosen far from optimal phrasing at his press-conference.

Sine I left Belarus, more than 12 years have passed, Belarus has moved in the direction of stepping up political prosecution, and not liberalization of the regime. I met with the rector of the Belarusian State University Kazulin, Trade Minister Marynich, who was an ambassador to Latvia then, and later they became political prisoners. The conclusion about reprisal to political opponents suggests itself. If I know that Sannikov went to the polls, and he is a political prisoner now, comment is needless.”

- And what would you answer to the question about political prisoners, if you were an ambassador to Minsk now?

- I would not say that I need half a year to get acquainted with the situation. But I would say that I need to study the situation better, to familiarize myself not only with the opinions of those who are talking about crackdown on Belarusian political prisoners all over the world, but with the official point of view. However, I would condemn depriving people of the opportunity to express their opinion. Here in Israel everyone says what he likes, even when it causes direct harm to the country.