Netanyahu not planning to extend term of Israeli ambassador to US — report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not intend to extend the term of Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog when it expires in November this year,  Channel 13 news reports.

Netanyahu could extend Herzog’s three-year term by an additional year but has said privately that he does not intend to, despite the ambassador’s desire to continue, according to the report, pointing to disagreements between the two that began before the war on Hamas.

The report says Netanyahu’s associates want UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan to replace Herzog, but that a decision on the matter would take some time. Erdan briefly served as both ambassador to the US and UN ambassador before he was replaced by the incumbent envoy.

“Herzog was the main hub in the relationship between Israel and the United States and worked vigorously for American support in its many aspects, including during disagreements between the countries,” a source familiar with the details tells The Times of Israel.

“When asked, the ambassador expressed his willingness to extend his tenure beyond the scheduled end date in order to continue to help Israel in the war.”

Herzog, brother of President Isaac Herzog, assumed his post in November 2021.