Erdan to end tenure as UN envoy, declines offer to stay in US as Washington ambassador
Netanyahu thanks envoy, says he declined to remain in New York due to family considerations; PM reportedly decided not to extend term of Washington ambassador Herzog
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan has decided to wrap up his tenure in New York after four years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced Friday.
Netanyahu offered Erdan the option of staying in the US and becoming Israel’s ambassador in Washington — a post he held for a year simultaneously with his role at the UN — but the former Likud minister declined, citing family considerations, the premier’s office said, noting that Erdan has two children who will be enlisting in the IDF in the coming year.
“Ambassador Erdan represented Israel with respect, determination and strength, and I thank him for that,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Erdan, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, rose to prominence at the UN for his stunts and gimmicks.
Netanyahu has reportedly decided not to extend the tenure of Israel’s current ambassador to Washington Michael Herzog.
President Isaac Herzog’s brother will be wrapping up his three-year term in November.
While ambassadors often have their stints extended an extra year, Netanyahu has chosen not to offer that courtesy to Herzog.
The prime minister reportedly blamed Herzog for not doing enough to secure Netanyahu an invitation to the White House last year amid deteriorating ties with US President Joe Biden over actions by his hardline government.
