Israel's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is in hot water for violating security protocols after sharing a photo of himself inside the Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi, Hebrew media reported.
Yossi Shelley angered officials in the UAE after posting an image of himself standing inside the building, in front of the windows, showing the view outside.
Unnamed security officials told the Hebrew Kan news site that the move risked potentially revealing the office's location and could trigger threats against the Israeli and Jewish communities.
This comes as security officials have warned against potential terror threats in the UAE.
The image has since been deleted from his account on the social media platform X, but he has not been officially removed from his position.
Shelley, who is also the former chief of staff to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has previously clashed with his security detail after refusing to ignore other security violations and protocols.
Israel's National Security Council has recently upgraded its travel warning for Israelis in the Gulf, claiming that "terrorist organisations are operating with increased intensity these days in efforts to harm Israel".
Israel announced it was evacuating most of its diplomatic mission staff in the UAE following the threat.
Inappropriate behaviour
The ambassador has previously gotten himself in trouble in the Emirates, having been recalled over "undignified" behaviour at a bar that "crossed the boundaries of personal space".
A senior Foreign Ministry official told the Hebrew Channel 12 that the ambassador's behaviour while in the capital has been inappropriate from the start and has angered both Israeli and UAE officials.
Shelley, who also served as the Israeli ambassador to Brazil, sparked criticism after he was pictured having dinner with the former Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro. A photo of him shared online was edited to have the lobster in the background scribbled out. Lobster is a food that is prohibited in the Jewish kosher diet.
Reports in Hebrew media also state that a Brazilian woman reportedly felt "pressured and harassed" by the then ambassador, after he handled her Israeli visa enquiry inappropriately.
In the interaction, he said they had to meet in person before inviting her to dinner. During a video call with her, he appeared shirtless and lying in bed, sweating.