Tough gig for William Hague at the annual Conservative Friends of Israel lunch. Despite knowing Hague at Oxford thirty years ago, Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub slapped down the ‘friend of Israel’ over the deal with Iran. Mocking Cameron for pledging he would stand up for Israel at the same event last year, Taub warned “our good faith is being tested… If you want Israel to be tested then we want to know that the international community will be there for us. We need to hear the international community’s concern”. He stressed Israel are open to a deal, but not this deal, as it “does not require Iran to diffuse a single centrifuge… Iran with a bomb, or bombing Iran? The best alternative is a deal.” Taub concluded:

“The closer you are to Iran, the more clearly you hear the voice of the Iranians leader who called Israel a rabid dog fit for destruction.”

Hague humiliated in front of 500 supporters of Israel. The timing could hardly have been more awkward…

UPDATE:

Other than light applause when he stood up Hague was heard in obvious silence. Trying to placate a cold crowd, he insisted he knew why Israeli leaders have concerns, but that he was clear from the start it had to be a deal that was detailed and thorough, emphasiaing that these are the first important steps that shows the policy of pressure and diplomacy does work. Summing up by stressing that there is no quick fix. Nothing new and nothing to address Israel’s concerns. He sounded like a Cathy Ashton mouthpiece…