Netanyahu extends term of UN envoy Erdan in one of first acts as PM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday extended the tenure of Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, in one of his first moves after returning to the premier’s office.

The extension will keep Erdan, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, in the post until the end of 2024.

“The prime minister spoke with Erdan and praised his professional and intensive activity to defend Israel in the international sphere,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

“Ambassador Erdan thanked the prime minister for the trust placed in him and said he will continue to act to the best of his ability to strengthen Israel’s status at the UN,” it added.

Erdan, a former minister, was tapped by Netanyahu in 2020 to serve as Israel’s envoy to both the UN and the United States.

He resigned from the latter post after Netanyahu was ousted from power last June, saying he felt the government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid should select its own envoy in Washington.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Gilad Erdan at an event in Jerusalem, December 3, 2015. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Netanyahu has not publicly revealed his intentions concerning the incumbent ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, but a report last month said he plans to keep him in the post.

Herzog, a retired general and brother of President Isaac Herzog, has previous experience working with Netanyahu, having served as a negotiator in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks between 2013 and 2014 when the Likud leader was premier.