Jerusalem, 16 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has decided to submit 12 diplomatic appointments for approval by the Foreign Ministry’s appointments committee, despite the possibility that the government could change in November.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, met with criticism from Foreign Ministry civil servants, who described the move as a “pre-election grab,” particularly because most of the ambassadors are not scheduled to take their posts until the summer of 2027.
The new ambassadors are civil service employees, rather than political appointments, which are prohibited during an election period.
The diplomats are slated for posts in India, Jordan, Canada, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Bulgaria, Paraguay, Rwanda, Ghana and Belarus, as well as consul general in Munich. The India posting is expected to be filled this November.
The Foreign Ministry said the process is professional and proper and stressed the importance of completing the appointments to ensure continuity in Israel’s diplomatic operations.
