Netanyahu considers former US Envoy Ron Dermer as Israel’s next foreign minister
The relationship between Dermer and Netanyahu is considered as nearly familial.
Recent reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu considers former Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer for the position of foreign minister in his new government. Dermer is more than just a confidant to Netanyahu; their relationship is almost familial. He was also Netanyahu’s most important appendage in the White House during the Trump administration.
The problem is that Dermer is not a Knesset member for the Likud. He is not even a member of the party. Clearly, such an appointment will have serious implications within the Likud leadership. Top Likud officials are already furious at Netanyahu for not leaving senior government positions for them as the representatives of Israel’s largest party. Many of these senior Likud officials — including former Ministers Yisrael Katz, Amir Ohana and Yuli Edelstein — see themselves as a fit to serve as Israel’s next foreign minister.
So far, Netanyahu has been ignoring them. It has been two weeks since the right won the last election, and Netanyahu hasn’t bothered to meet with them. The only person he seems to consult with is his close associate and former Minister Yariv Levin, who is managing the coalition negotiations.
On Nov. 14, Netanyahu launched his autobiography — Bibi: My Story — at a glittery event in Jerusalem. No members of Knesset from the Likud were invited, nor were any of the people expecting to receive a ministry post. On the other hand, one of the guests of honor was Dermer. Photos of the two men consulting and lack of denial on a possible appointment of Dermer as foreign minister exacerbated anger with Likud seniors.
