Dermer’s departure creating vacuum that’s impacting US-Israel ties — report

Channel 12 cites unnamed US and Israeli officials who acknowledge a growing vacuum following the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide, strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, last month.

His absence is particularly felt as the sides ready for a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu in Florida on December 29. Trump’s top aides have resorted to calling Netanyahu directly several times a week, as they don’t feel comfortable working with the premier’s aides, Channel 12 reports.

Dermer was supposed to transition to a position of special envoy that would allow him to remain involved in various issues. However, there have been legal issues in establishing the position, given that Dermer is now a private citizen.

Accordingly, talks between Israel and Syria have been suspended, as Israel hasn’t had a representative to lead them. Dermer was supposed to participate in such negotiations days after resigning, but had to pull out due to the Israeli government’s legal concerns with a private citizen’s involvement.

Netanyahu told US envoy Tom Barrack earlier this week that he will appoint a replacement for Dermer soon, Channel 12 says.

On Gaza, Netanyahu has appointed Israeli-American businessman Michael Eisenberg as his representative in talks relating to the implementation of Trump’s Gaza peace plan. But Eisenberg is not as close to Netanyahu, and the White House does not see him as an authority, according to the network.