JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — Hosted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, a dessert was served in what appeared to be shiny men's shoes for everyone at a diplomatic dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife.
Although it looks quite bizarre for any guest, to the Japanese leader and his wife Akie, to put shoes on the table was considered by many to be particularly offensive.
An unnamed senior diplomat who formerly served in Japan told Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth [f]that the presentation was a stupid and insensitive decision.
The diplomat added that there's nothing more despised in Japanese culture than shoes. It is equivalent to serving a Jewish guest chocolates in a dish shaped like a pig.
The dessert was prepared by Israel's celebrity chef Segev[g] Moshe[h]. The chef's publicist said the shoe is actually a sculpture made by international artist Tom Dixon.
A Japanese diplomat told Yedioth Ahronoth that they are offended by their prime minister, even if it was meant to be a humorous gesture, they certainly do not find it funny.
Moshe received a ton of criticism after he shared pictures of his dessert creation on his Instagram account, as one person wrote "That is just nasty! No chance I would eat that. The idea of eating out of someone's shoe turns the stomach."
Israel is the first stop of the Japanese leader's Middle East tour.
