An Israeli author who lost a son in the Lebanon war snubbed Ehud Olmert at a televised ceremony.
The Israeli prime minister officiated at a Jerusalem ceremony Wednesday honoring notable contributions to the national culture.
David Grossman, a renowned author and peace activist, received a prize but unlike the other honorees, declined to shake Olmert’s hand. Instead the two men faced each other silently across the podium.
Israel Radio reported that Grossman, whose son, a tanks commander, died while fighting Hezbollah guerrillas last year, had notified the event organizers in advance that he would snub the prime minister.
During his brief faceoff with Grossman, Olmert looked impassive but made no comment.
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