Israel's Foreign Minister Appoints 12 Ambassadors Amid Election Campaign

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has decided to submit 12 ambassadorial appointments for approval by the ministry's personnel committee. The decision comes amid the ongoing election campaign, though most of the appointees are not expected to begin their roles until the summer of 2027. The appointments are for professional diplomats, not political ones, which are prohibited during elections. Despite this, Foreign Ministry staff and senior officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the timing, with one official stating, "It looks bad and smells of haste before the elections." The nominated ambassadors will serve in India, Jordan, Canada, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland, Paraguay, Rwanda, Ghana, and Belarus. An additional appointment is for the Consul General in Munich. The earliest appointment to take effect will be in India, with the new ambassador expected to start in November 2026.