Arieh Eshel, Israel’s retiring consul in Vienna, refused today to accept an Austrian Government medal, on the grounds that Israel diplomatic protocol forbids acceptance of foreign decorations.
Mr. Eshel paid his farewell visit to Premier Julius Raab today before returning to Israel where he will head the Eastern European Department of the Foreign Ministry. Last night, Foreign Minister Leopold Figl tendered a reception in his honor and presented Mr. Eshel with a silver cup. The medal was offered in view of his services in improving of Austrian-Jewish relations.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.