Gideon Sa'ar Appoints Michel Buskila as New Deputy Foreign Minister After Sharren Haskel Resigns

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, with Prime Minister approval, has appointed Knesset Deputy Speaker Michel Buskila from the Likud party as the new Deputy Foreign Minister. This appointment follows the resignation of Sharren Haskel, who stepped down due to her opposition to the "Defectors Law." Buskila currently serves on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chairs its subcommittee on foreign policy and public diplomacy, and is a member of the intelligence subcommittee.

The government is set to approve Buskila's appointment in a telephone vote this evening, with the appointment becoming effective 48 hours after Haskel's resignation takes effect. According to the law, Buskila will assume his new role once the Knesset receives official notification of the appointment.

Sharren Haskel submitted her resignation letter to Sa'ar on Wednesday morning, following the Knesset's approval of the law ending the detention of yeshiva students. In her resignation letter, Haskel accused Sa'ar of deceit, stating, "You lied to me, you lied to the people of Israel. I resign from my position as your deputy." Her resignation comes just two days before the expected dissolution of the 25th Knesset, and it will officially take effect simultaneously with the expiration of the Knesset's term.