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Netanyahu's one-man show leaves no room for foreign minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who does not trust anyone to market his government’s policies, will address the UN General Assembly this week himself as Israel's top diplomat.
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For the last three years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kept the foreign affairs portfolio for himself. Earlier this month, the Israeli press reported that Netanyahu had promised former Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (res.) Benny Gantz the foreign minister’s job in his next government. But Netanyahu’s office issued a denial, adding that the prime minister was “certainly pleased with his current foreign minister.”

Netanyahu is undoubtedly pleased with the foreign minister who stares back from his mirror each morning. Over the past decade, his has turned into the face of the nation. Most world leaders descending on the UN headquarters in New York City these days are accompanied by their foreign ministers. This double presence enables them to take advantage of the world’s largest diplomatic fair to strengthen their countries’ foreign relations and to present their political, security, economic, scientific and cultural wares.

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