Israel envoy pans 'megaphone diplomacy' after ASEAN outcry on Gaza

SINGAPORE -- "Megaphone diplomacy" denouncing Israel is "cynical" and "completely futile" if the goal is to help Palestinians, the Israeli ambassador to Singapore argued weeks after a war with Gaza brought stern condemnations from some Southeast Asian states.

The ambassador, Sagi Karni, also told Nikkei Asia that an undeclared but real Israeli effort to strengthen relations in Asia would continue regardless of the possible power change in Jerusalem, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may soon be ousted after 12 years.