Israel has recalled its ambassador to El Salvador after police found him on the streets of the capital blind drunk and wearing nothing but bondage gear, a foreign ministry official said on Monday.
"The reports published in the Israeli media were confirmed," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"Our ambassador to El Salvador has been recalled immediately and will be replaced within the shortest possible time."
According to a story initially published in Israel's tabloid-style Maariv newspaper, police in the Salvadoran capital found Israeli ambassador Tsuriel Rephael on the streets two weeks ago bound and gagged with sado-masochistic sex accessories.
Despite his inebriated state, Rephael clearly identified himself to officers as Israel's ambassador to the central American state.
"During the 60 years of the State of Israel, some of our diplomats have caused us embarrassment, as happens in every country, but an ambassador behaving indecently on a public thoroughfare, that has never happened before.
"It's the last straw," the foreign ministry official said.
It was the first time Rephael, who had held a technical position in the ministry before his posting to San Salvador, had ever distingished himself in any way, the official added.
