Israeli ambassador to France Yael German resigns in protest of incoming government

Israel’s Ambassador to France Yael German, a Yair Lapid ally, sends a letter to incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing that she is resigning from her post in Paris. She has also notified the Foreign Ministry of her decision.

After noting she has been proud to represent Israel under the outgoing government — which she says was based on “democracy, human rights, and the rule of law” — German accuses Netanyahu and his government of violating the principles of Israel’s Declaration of Independence and the vision of a Jewish and democratic state.

“Sadly,” German writes, “the government you established and lead includes representatives of parties whose extreme positions are expressed in its guidelines, in its policies, and in statements on legislation — illegitimate legislation in my eyes — it intends to pass.”

She adds that she is unable “to lie to myself and continue to represent policies that are so radically different from what I believe in.”

German, who started her political career in the left-wing Meretz Party, entered the Knesset with Lapid’s Yesh Atid Party in 2013 and served as health minister from 2013 to 2014.

Lapid, as foreign minister, appointed German as ambassador in 2021, which was met with some dismay, as she does not speak native-level French.