Israel recalls all its ambassadors for consultations

Over the holiday Israel recalled all its ambassadors for meetings from Dec. 27-31. The diplomats should be back on station on enroute by now. While this sounds disturbing, I don't think we should get too excited. At a minimum, it means that Isreal is unlikely to strike Iran this week or even next. Here at Black Gold, our suspicion is that the recall relates to Israel's strategy regarding pressing for strong international sanctions now that Iran has flouted the latest (Jan. 1, 2010) deadline to halt its nuclear activities. The conference may have also included instructions in case of an attack but in our mind, it is very unlikely that Israel would even tell its diplomats if an attack were planned because of the security risks this entails. Knowledge of any such attack would be kept on a need to know basis with very few (less than 50) people knowing the full plan and date of the attack.

I've attached an article from the European Union Times online edition which follows:

Israel’s ambassadors and consuls generals from all over the world have been summoned to attend a conference to be held over global challenges facing Israel.

The meeting to be attended in Jerusalem Al-Quds on December 27-31 is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the ministry reported on its website.

“The idea is to facilitate direct dialogue with the country’s leaders, mutual updates on major diplomatic issues, and a discussion of action plans to deal with the challenges awaiting Israel in the international arena in the coming year, including the Iranian threat,” it said.

This is while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a report by the UN Human Rights Council’s Gaza commission a real threat to Israel.

The UN Special Rappoteur for the occupied Palestinian Territories has also urged western powers to push Israel to end its blockade of the Gaza Strip immediately. Richard Falk also called for economic sanctions against Israel.

This is the first time a conference for all of Israel’s heads of missions has been held.

Benyamin Netanyahu will also attend the conference along with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor, and other senior officials.