Five weeks after the resignation of Ron Dermer, Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, the void in the political-security structure of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration appears unlikely to be filled. Both Israeli and American officials have indicated that Dermer’s departure has led to confusion and uncertainty in managing several sensitive issues, particularly the relationship between Israel and the United States.
Ron Dermer, an Israeli politician and diplomat born in the United States, has resigned from his position as Minister of Strategic Affairs. He served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2013 to 2021 and was previously appointed by Netanyahu as his senior political advisor.
Despite his influential role, Dermer remains largely out of the public eye. He is often described as a mysterious figure who, while playing a crucial role in significant matters such as foreign relations and economic agreements, shows little interest in engaging with the media. Notably, although he holds a high-ranking position, he does not have full command of Hebrew and reportedly conducts conversations in English, according to Hebrew-speaking sources.Dermer is arguably the most influential figure in Netanyahu’s agenda concerning regional developments and relations with the United States. His impact on Netanyahu’s policies, particularly in international and regional matters, is undeniable, yet many aspects of his activities remain obscured, with limited information available. Hebrew-language sources have recognized his special status with Netanyahu since his appointment as Israel’s ambassador in Washington, emphasizing his significant role in foreign policy.
Yedioth Ahronoth highlights two critical points about Dermer: “The man who directs [Israel’s] relations with the United States and the individual responsible for advancing normalization agreements with Saudi Arabia.” Dermer enjoys a close relationship with Netanyahu, who regards him as a trusted confidant. Israeli news outlet Channel 13 underscores Netanyahu’s level of trust in Dermer, stating, “Netanyahu cannot function without him, considering him as part of his very being.”
Haaretz refers to Dermer in the context of U.S., Saudi, and Iranian relations, describing him as the man for special missions. Recently, Israel Hayom has uncovered information about Dermer’s activities, revealing the depth of his relationship with Netanyahu. In the past ten months, there have been approximately 150 meetings and phone calls between the two, indicating a near-daily interaction, significantly higher than that of other ministers. Likud ministers have complained that they are often prevented from meeting with the Prime Minister by his chief of staff, yet Dermer faces no such obstacles.Ma’ariv emphasizes Dermer’s role in managing Israel-U.S. relations, noting, “The last person allowed to intervene and act regarding Israel-U.S. relations is Ron Dermer. This is not mere speculation; it is an inevitable conclusion for those familiar with his management style and objectives during his tenure as Israel’s ambassador in Washington from 2013 to 2021.”
A crucial point highlighted is Dermer’s status as a prominent Zionist in the U.S. At that time, he was commonly referred to as “Netanyahu’s man in Washington.”
Dermer’s absence from the upcoming meeting, especially with preparations underway for Netanyahu and Donald Trump’s encounter in less than two weeks, is noteworthy. For eleven years, he was Netanyahu’s key figure in the White House, handling preliminary arrangements for his meetings with three U.S. presidents. Dermer’s close relationship with Netanyahu meant that any leader, senior official, or politician speaking with Dermer was effectively communicating with Netanyahu as well. This unique position allowed him to achieve significant political actions and secure multiple diplomatic agreements.When Dermer announced his resignation in November assessments within Israel the White House and many global capitals suggested he would continue his missions as directed by Netanyahu albeit without an official position. There was speculation that he would serve as Netanyahu’s special representative in negotiations with Syria and Lebanon and efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia yet currently there is no information regarding his ongoing activities.
Hebrew sources describe Dermer as a unique entity in Washington. Everyone involved in Republican and Democratic foreign policy circles knew him well. His relationship with Trump was notably unusual; they collaborated closely during Trump’s first term and grew even closer during his second. Dermer played a pivotal role in strengthening the ties between Netanyahu and Trump being the first foreign official to meet with the U.S. president after his electoral victory.
No one in Netanyahu’s circle or the current Israeli government possesses the capacity to manage U.S. relations as Dermer did. The Israeli ambassador will handle a substantial portion of the U.S. relations portfolio but none can match Dermer’s influence experience and diplomatic connections. The pressing question now is who will fill the void left by Dermer in the upcoming meeting between Trump and Netanyahu. Some experts speculate that Dermer may reappear in a similar role yet no definitive news has surfaced regarding his attendance. What remains certain is that Netanyahu currently lacks his primary asset in managing and coordinating Israeli-American policies for this crucial dialogue with Trump.
