Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu at a News Conference in Jerusalem
IN PHOTO: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference at his office in Jerusalem August 6, 2014. REUTERS/Jim Hollander

New Zealand ambassador to Israel Jonathan Curr has been rejected by Israeli officials because the diplomat was reportedly accredited to the Palestinian Authority. According to reports, Curr was scheduled to travel to Israel within the week to present his official documents to Israeli President Reuven.

When Curr revealed he was also planning to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Israel had expressed its disagreement to the said meeting. Israeli ministry officials told Curr he acted against diplomatic protocol.

Israeli paper Haretz reported that the new Kiwi ambassador had to cancel his trip for Israel. The rejection may spark a diplomatic row between New Zealand and Israel.

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Israel because its relations are maintained in its embassy in Ankara covering several nations in the region. According to reports, New Zealand's ambassador to Turkey serves as a non-resident diplomat to Israel and visits Jerusalem for monthly meetings.

Curr's visit to Ramallah was not supposed to be a full presentation of his credentials since New Zealand does not recognise Palestine as a state. He was only to give a letter of introduction containing his appointment as New Zealand's ambassador who also maintains ties with the Palestinian Authority.

When Israel's Foreign Ministry heard of the news, it accused Curr of diplomatic protocol violation. Israel strictly observes rules that prevent an ambassador to gain credentials from both Israel and the Palestine Authority. Israeli officials said that unless Curr will remove his "dual credentials," he will not be allowed to act as ambassador to Israel.

Reports said Curr was surprised to learn of Israel's rejection since his two predecessors have served as ambassador to Israel and the Palestine Authority without any objection from the officials. He was informed that the previous New Zealand ambassadors who served before him presented their credentials to Abbas without Israel's knowledge.

The Foreign Ministry suggested a low-ranking diplomat from New Zealand's embassy in Turkey should be the one to present the credentials and handle ties with Palestine. The suggestion had allegedly insulted Curr who told officials they should not be telling New Zealand how to handle its diplomatic affairs.