Israel’s envoy to Zambia Ambassador Ofra Farhi was robbed of her diplomatic passport and her cellphone on a street in Lusaka last week.
Farhi was passing through a street in Lusaka on Friday when a vehicle pulled up alongside her and the occupants pulled off her bag and dragged her off her feet – causing her slight injuries.
Her bodyguards, who were with her at the time couldn’t intercept the assailants.
Farhi was treated at a clinic and continued on to her scheduled meetings with local officials.
The ambassador said in a statement that though it is the kind of incident that can happen anywhere in the country, “Zambia is very safe and peaceful” and “very friendly to Israel.”
Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo and a presidential adviser both called Farhi to offer their support.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who also called Farhi to ask about her welfare, said it is an example of the kind of dangers that diplomatic staff face.
“More than once, Israel’s ambassadors around the world have put themselves and their families at risk in order to serve the country,” Cohen said in a statement. “They deserve full appreciation for that.”
Farhi who is also the ambassador to Zimbabwe and Botswana is a roving ambassador who is resident in Israel and makes diplomatic visits to the countries she serves. She is due back in Israel in few days.
