It no doubt ranks among the more bizarre reasons for recalling an ambassador. The Israeli envoy to El Salvador is being replaced after being discovered on the streets of the capital drunk and tied up — wearing nothing except for bondage gear, officials have said.

Tsuriel Rephael, whose posting to San Salvador marked his first spell as an ambassador, was found by police two weeks ago in a spot near his home and the Israeli embassy, Israeli media reported.

According to reports, officers noted that the ambassador had his hands bound, his mouth gagged and appeared to be with accessories that suggested sado-masochistic acts.

Despite his inebriated state, Mr Rephael was apparently able to clearly identify himself to the police as Israel's ambassador to the central American nation — a role which, following the incident, is no longer his.

“The reports published in the Israeli media were confirmed,” an official from the Foreign Ministry told the AFP news agency. “Our ambassador to El Salvador has been recalled immediately and will be replaced within the shortest possible time.

“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 added in a statement that it viewed the incident very seriously, and that the ambassador had been recalled after being provided with the chance to explain himself.

“This conduct does not match the behaviour expected from Israeli diplomats,” the Ministry said, according to Haaretz website.

Born in the US in 1952, Mr Rephael moved to Israel in 1971, with his career in the Foreign Ministry beginning ten years later. He was named ambassador to El Salvador in October last year, after previously holding a technical position in the Ministry.

Last year, a report by the State Comptroller criticised the means by which diplomats were appointed and promoted through the ranks, charging the Ministry with a lack of transparency in making appointments.

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