Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday extended the term of Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, just hours before his posting was set to expire.
Danon, who was appointed in 2015 for a three-year term and whose posting has already been extended multiple times, will now stay in the position until May.
The extension occurs in the context of Israel’s political stalemate, which has led the country to three rounds of elections in under 12 months. The next round of elections is set for March 2.
Leading up to the announcement of the extension, Hebrew media reported that other potential candidates for the post include Likud Knesset member and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who was offered the role by Netanyahu last August but turned it down.
Netanyahu himself held the post from 1984 to 1988.
The job is considered to be notoriously difficult, as the United Nations is known for its widespread hostility to the Jewish state.
