Foreign Ministry Faces Backlash Over Ambassador Appointments During Election Campaign

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is facing criticism from within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for pushing forward the appointment of 12 ambassadors and consuls general abroad, just as the country is in the midst of an election campaign. While these are professional diplomatic appointments and not political ones, which are typically restricted during election periods, ministry employees and senior officials have expressed concern, stating that the move "looks bad and smells like a pre-election maneuver." The appointments, which include ambassadors to India, Jordan, Canada, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland, Paraguay, Rwanda, Ghana, and Belarus, along with a consul general in Munich, are largely for positions that will not begin until the summer of 2027, with some as late as January 2028. Only the appointment for Delhi is immediate, slated for November 2026.

The appointments committee, chaired by Saar, is scheduled to convene to approve these nominations as early as tomorrow. Senior officials within the ministry questioned the urgency, asking, "What's the rush for Minister Saar to hold the committee now? If there's a new minister, surely they'll want the option to decide how they want to shape the profile of the heads of the Foreign Service." Others suggested Saar is determined to leave his mark before his term ends, disregarding the sensitive timing.

Traditionally, ambassadors are appointed in September, but during election periods, sensitivity is usually exercised, and non-urgent appointments are postponed until a new government is formed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the decision, stating that the process is proceeding as usual for this time of year (September-October) to ensure the proper functioning of Israeli missions abroad. They argued that any delay in appointing heads of missions would cause further delays for other staff. The ministry also emphasized the importance of completing appointments early to allow diplomats and their families sufficient time to prepare for their postings, including school registrations and relocation, as well as to secure the host country's agreement.

The ministry further noted that the current list of vacant ambassadorial positions is relatively small compared to previous years and that similar appointment processes have continued uninterrupted during past election campaigns, aligning with the ministry's professional needs. These ongoing appointment procedures, they stated, are being conducted in full coordination with the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Justice.