Israel asks ambassador to explain remarks about far-right ministers

Israel wants its ambassador to explain remarks he made in an interview with Dutch outlet AD, according to Israeli media.

Zvi Aviner Vapni is Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands.

In the interview, he said Israel also has people it would rather not have.

He said he was referring in part to far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.

His comments put two serving ministers at the centre of the dispute.

Vapni is expected to give an explanation in Israel, Israeli media say.