Resigning as minister, Dermer says gov’t will be remembered for both Oct. 7 and its response
Netanyahu’s closest aide announces he’s stepping down as strategic affairs minister in letter lauding the PM: ‘In our darkest hour, the people of Israel had worthy leaders’
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Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer stepped down from his ministerial post on Tuesday, after serving in the role since the current government’s formation at the end of 2022, acknowledging the government’s failures on October 7, 2023, but lauding it’s subsequent response.
In his resignation letter, he praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership over the last two years, saying that “in our darkest hour, the people of Israel had worthy leaders.”
The US-born Dermer is seen as Netanyahu’s closest adviser and has been handling a wide range of diplomatic issues, including ties with Washington, the hostage negotiations during the Gaza war, and Israel’s relations with its Arab neighbors.
In his resignation letter, Dermer noted that he had promised his family upon entering the government in December 2022 that he would only serve as minister for two years.
He said he extended his tenure twice with his family’s blessing: “The first time to work with you [Netanyahu] to remove the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear military capabilities and the second time to end the war in Gaza on the terms set by Israel and to bring our hostages home.”
Dermer thanked the premier for giving him the opportunity to serve, and wrote: “This government will be remembered both for the October 7 attack and for its management of the two-year, seven-front war that followed.”
“October 7 was indeed the darkest day the Jewish people have known since Israel was established,” Dermer acknowledged. “But the story of our ancient people has never been defined by our darkest days, of which there have been far too many to count. Rather, our story has been defined by our perseverance in overcoming the darkness.”
— Ron Dermer – רון דרמר (@AmbDermer) November 11, 2025
Now two years after the attack, “we have dealt a devastating blow to Iran’s terror axis and are now powerfully positioned to usher in an age of security, prosperity and peace,” Dermer wrote, crediting the achievements to “the bravery of our soldiers, the resolve of our people and to your singular leadership.”
He praised Netanyahu’s “experienced and strong leadership,” saying that the prime minister stood up to pressure at home and abroad, and adding: “When the truth comes out and the facts are known, I am confident that appreciation for your leadership will be even greater.”
Thanking other officials with whom he’s worked, Dermer wrote, “In the decades ahead, when the protocols of our extensive deliberations are released and the political battles and media spins of the day fade away, the people of Israel will know that during our darkest hour, they had worthy leaders who were focused on securing Israel’s future.”
Dermer to remain involved, serve as PM’s special envoy
While stepping down from the government, Dermer will operate as a special envoy for Netanyahu and remain involved on certain issues, such as efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, a source familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel last week.
Additional responsibilities regarding ties with the Trump administration will be transferred to Israeli Ambassador to Israel Yechiel Leiter, who will stay on as ambassador in Washington.
The source familiar with the matter likened Dermer’s new role to the one held by Jared Kushner, who did not formally rejoin the government for US President Donald Trump’s second term, but has played a central role in the brokering and implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza on behalf of the American administration.
Dermer, who previously served as Netanyahu’s envoy to Washington for 7 years, was saluted by fellow ministers, as well as opposition figures, for his service.
Ministers, opposition head salute ‘Zionist and patriot’
Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a statement, thanked Dermer for his service, noting that the two have “worked together on the diplomatic and security fronts to advance Israel’s standing in the world, to strengthen the strategic alliance with the United States, and to enlist international support for the struggle to free our hostages and for the security of Israel.”
“Ron worked with dedication and deep responsibility, out of true Zionist service and love of the state and the nation — and all of the citizens of Israel owe much to him,” Katz said.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted on X: “Ron my friend, thank you for our shared work for the future of the State of Israel, thank you for hours of discussions, including disagreements, with a clear goal — the protection and fortification of the security of the citizens of Israel.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted: “I want to thank Ron Dermer for his great contribution to the nation of Israel in these times. Good luck Ron!”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid wrote on X: “I have had, and still have, many differences of opinion with Ron Dermer, but I never doubted that he is a Zionist and a patriot and wants the best for the state. I thank him and wish him success on the rest of his journey.”
In addition to being the lead Israeli negotiator in the hostage talks, Dermer has also been negotiating a security arrangement with Syria, after the 1974 disengagement deal inked at the end of the Yom Kippur war collapsed when the Assad regime was overthrown in December.
He was Israel’s ambassador to the US from 2013 to 2021 and was a key negotiator of the Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalize relations with Israel in 2020.
In August, the Israel Hayom daily reported Dermer has been discussing his retirement since Israel’s 12-day war in June that targeted Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles program.
The Times of Israel Community.