Netanyahu extends Washington ambassador Michael Herzog’s term until January
Herzog, the 69-year-old brother of President Isaac Herzog, is a retired Brig.-Gen., former military secretary, and head of staff for defense ministers Shaul Mofaz and Ehud Barak.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Ambassador Michael (Mike) Herzog to extend his term as Israel's Ambassador to Washington until January 20, 2025.
Herzog served as Israel's Ambassador to Washington for the past three years. In the coming days, the Prime Minister will announce the appointment of a new ambassador, who will begin the handover process shortly.
Netanyahu thanked Ambassador Herzog for his significant professional contributions over the past three years, particularly during the challenging wartime period. Herzog represented Israel with honor to US government officials, Congress, civil society organizations, international media, and the Jewish community in the United States.
The candidate to replace Herzog is Ofir Falk (56), a senior advisor to Netanyahu and negotiator for hostage exchange talks. Falk, a lawyer with a PhD in international relations focused on counterterrorism and targeted assassinations, was born in Israel and raised in Canada from the age of four.
Falk as likely successor
Herzog, the 69-year-old brother of President Isaac Herzog, is a retired Brig.-Gen., former military secretary, and head of staff for defense ministers Shaul Mofaz and Ehud Barak.
He was part of the team that conducted indirect peace talks with Syria and participated in secret negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in 2013, aimed at achieving a permanent settlement. In recent years, he has been a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and a research fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Herzog replaced Gilad Erdan, who had also recently served as Israel's Ambassador to the UN.
According to sources close to the Prime Minister, the decision had been known for six months, but they were waiting to see the results of the US elections. Had Harris won, it was likely that Herzog would have remained in his role, but Trump's election shifted the dynamics.
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