"With all due respect, three years is more than enough," Shalom stated on Israel's Channel Two Meet the Press program. He said that "Ayalon was a political appointment" and that he does not have to extend the envoy's service just as the Prime Minister did not renew appointments of IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon and General Security Services (Shin Bet) Director Avi Dichter.
He added that the two men "do not have the best of relationships" and that he wants to appoint someone who can work with him.
Bad feelings between Ayalon and Shalom reached the media last week after the ambassador complained to Attorney General Meni Mazuz that the foreign minister's wife Judy interfered with his office management. Ayalon claimed that Mrs. Shalom convinced her husband to cancel the position of his aide, Liran Petervzil. Ambassador Ayalon charged that Judy Shalom took revenge because Peterzvil did not fulfill her request to arrange a meeting between her and pop star Madonna.
Mazuz has referred the issue to a civil service officer. Shalom's aides have claimed that Ayalon brought up the charge against Judy Shalom to divert attention from civil service investigations concerning his office management.
Shalom said on Meet the Press that the allegation against his wife is ridiculous and that both of them were out of the country during Madonna's visit to Israel. He added that some people "love Judy less than others" and that the issue has been "blown out of proportion."
He added that the two men "do not have the best of relationships" and that he wants to appoint someone who can work with him.
Bad feelings between Ayalon and Shalom reached the media last week after the ambassador complained to Attorney General Meni Mazuz that the foreign minister's wife Judy interfered with his office management. Ayalon claimed that Mrs. Shalom convinced her husband to cancel the position of his aide, Liran Petervzil. Ambassador Ayalon charged that Judy Shalom took revenge because Peterzvil did not fulfill her request to arrange a meeting between her and pop star Madonna.
Mazuz has referred the issue to a civil service officer. Shalom's aides have claimed that Ayalon brought up the charge against Judy Shalom to divert attention from civil service investigations concerning his office management.
Shalom said on Meet the Press that the allegation against his wife is ridiculous and that both of them were out of the country during Madonna's visit to Israel. He added that some people "love Judy less than others" and that the issue has been "blown out of proportion."