© Pool / Reuters
"This was a stupid and insensitive decision," a senior Israeli diplomat who had previously served in Japan told newspaper Yediot Aharonot. "It is equivalent to serving a Jewish guest chocolates in a dish shaped like a pig," he said, adding "there is nothing more despised in Japanese culture than shoes."
"No culture puts shoes on the table," a Japanese diplomat told the Hebrew newspaper. "If this is meant to be humor, we do not find it funny. I can tell you that we are offended for our prime minister," the diplomat said.
Abe and his wife dined with Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu on May 2, during Abe's second official visit to Israel. The meal was prepared by Israeli celebrity chef Segev Moshe.
Comment: Even if it wasn't a cultural faux pas, it's a rather unappealing way to serve dessert - or anything.