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The toughest job in Israeli diplomacy awaits in London - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • Israel's ambassador to the UK position remains vacant nearly a year after the previous ambassador departed.
  • The nomination of Tzachi Braverman is indefinitely on hold due to pending indictment charges in Israel.
  • The vacant post highlights diplomatic challenges amid ongoing political uncertainty and legal issues surrounding potential candidates.

The position of Israel's Ambassador to the United Kingdom has been vacant for nearly a year, presenting a significant diplomatic challenge. Tzipi Hotovely left the post almost a year ago, and a replacement is not expected soon.

If we look at all the threats that Israel faces, why would anyone in the world want your job? It seems to be the toughest job in the world.

โ€” Interviewers for Die WeltAsking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a question about his role in a 2013 interview.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to appoint his chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, to the role. While the cabinet approved the nomination in September, British authorities have not approved it due to a pending indictment against Braverman. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara intends to indict him on charges including obstruction of justice, fraud, and breach of trust.

Further complicating matters, Braverman is also suspected of altering the timeline of when Netanyahu received an update on October 7. The appointment of a new ambassador is unlikely until a new government is formed following the upcoming elections, and potentially after further electoral uncertainty.

Itโ€™s a good question, but apparently not enough people are asking it because quite a few people would like to have [my job].

โ€” Benjamin NetanyahuResponding to a question about the difficulty of his job in a 2013 interview.

Meanwhile, Christian Cantor, a seasoned diplomat, has arrived as the new chargรฉ d'affaires at the embassy. Cantor has previously served as ambassador to Colombia and held diplomatic postings in Australia, Guatemala, and London.

First the Jewish people were maligned, then they were attacked. And the maligning, the vilification served as the legitimization for the attacks that followed. In many ways, this is what is happening to the State of Israel. It is vilified again and again in public opinion, including in European public opinion, to prepare the attacks. And people donโ€™t know the facts.

โ€” Benjamin NetanyahuDrawing a parallel between historical antisemitism and the current vilification of Israel in a 2013 interview.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.