Walter Eytan, Israel’s Ambassador to France and former director-general of the Foreign Ministry, testified today in Haifa district court that a “foreign agent” left Israel immediately after the arrest of Aharon Cohen, leader of the left-wing Mapam who faces trial on espionage charges.
Mr. Eytan testified that a “certain embassy urgently requested from the Foreign Ministry an exit visa for one of its employes acting as secretary to a scientific research mission which is a branch of a known academy in the country which the embassy represented.”
Unlike the typical request, which is usually lodged at least one week before the departure of the diplomats, Mr. Eytan testified, in this case the request was for issuance of an exit permit within two days. Such a request, he added, is regarded as “a most urgent and irregular departure.”
The diplomat also testified that the work of the research mission was not limited to what he considered “reasonable limits of scientific research. ” Mr. Eytan gave his evidence today since he was scheduled to return to Paris soon after. The court then heard evidence from the Israel Security Services which was given in camera.
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