An incident in Bethlehem last Friday between Israeli soldiers and a Belgian diplomat has turned into an imbroglio.
The soldiers claim the diplomat, Roger de Wulf, spat at them. De Wulf, who is the Belgian consul general in East Jerusalem, insisted he did no more than cast a reproachful glance at three armed soldiers guarding a blindfolded Palestinian with his hands tied behind his back.
The consul general said he had been profoundly shocked by the sight.
The Foreign Ministry here had no comment on the incident. Diplomatic sources said it was not likely to affect the traditionally friendly relations between Belgium and Israel.
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