LONDON, Aug 14 (Saba) -- Israel's foreign diplomats have refused to work with Mossad spies "anywhere in the world" after agents effectively broke a strike picket line, it was revealed here Saturday, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Israeli premier Netanyahu asked Mossad operatives to help with his trip to Greece after the industrial action meant he would have to cancel it, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.

The rift was caused after the agency's spies stepped in to help organise a trip for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, to Greece next week, after foreign diplomatic staff refused because of industrial action over pay.

The strike, which was triggered by claims that diplomats get half the pay of defence ministry officials, has seen workers engineering a series of diplomatic faux pas (diplomatic snubs).

These include leaving the wife of Estonias president stranded at a restaurant outside Jerusalem and failing to role out a red carpet for the Russian foreign minister.
They have also ditched suits in favour of jeans and sandals.

Netanyahu asked Mossad operatives to help with his trip after the industrial action meant he would have to cancel it.

Hanan Goder, chairman of the foreign ministrys diplomatic association, threatened to retaliate by withdrawing co-operation with Mossad.

He said: "It is unacceptable that the prime minister would use another body, which is strictly in charge of security matters to break a strike." He said: "Our mission abroad is to analyse political developments." Goder said striking diplomats would provide no aid to Mossad representatives at embassies and consulates around the world except in matters of "life or death."

Saba