Naftali Bennett, Israeli prime minister, has appointed retired Brigadier General Michael Herzog to be Israel's new ambassador to the United States, the head of state's office said on Friday (August 6th).
Michael Herzog, 69, is the brother of Israeli President Isaac Herzog elected in June, according to local media.
The appointment of Michael Herzog "
will be submitted to Cabinet approval without delay,
" the Prime Minister's office said in its statement.
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If confirmed, Michael Herzog will hold the post during the tenure of Yair Lapid, currently Foreign Minister, who will be prime minister from 2023 to 2025, according to the rotation agreement with Naftali Bennett.
Yaïr Lapid (centrist) was tasked in early May by the president to form a government after the failure of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The latter had failed to rally a right-wing government after the March elections, the fourth in two years.
Yaïr Lapid then convinced Naftali Bennett, leader of the radical right, to embark on this government project with the key to sharing power and rotating at the head of government.
Michael Herzog will succeed Gilad Erdan, former Likud minister of Benjamin Netanyahu, himself close to former US President Donald Trump.
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An expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank, Michael Herzog served for 40 years in the IDF where he held senior positions including chief strategic planning, military secretary and chief of staff under four ministers of Defense, according to the government press release. He was appointed "
in view of his rich experience in the security and diplomatic fields, and his in-depth knowledge of the strategic issues facing the State of Israel, in particular the Iranian nuclear issue
," he said.