Israel Forced to Close Embassy in Mauritania

Mauritania recently announced a demand that Israel close its embassy in the country's capital city of Nouakchott.  The Mauritanian government gave the embassy staff 48 hours to leave the country.  Libyan President (and current African Union President) Muammar Gadaffi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and exiled Hamas leader Khalad Meshaa had reportedly been pressuring Mauritania to ends its relationship with Israel.

Mauritania was previously one of only three Arab League members to maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel, though the relationship has became tense in light of increased conflict between Israel and Gaza.  After 1,300 Palestinians were killed on January 18, tens of thousands of Mauritanians protested in the streets of Nouakchott.  The Mauritanian government, a military junta that took power in a coup in August, recalled its own ambassador from Israel last month.