israelare ambassadors of Canada He says he intends to step down soon after a change of government at home as protests grow tel aviv Controversial new policies.
Ronen Hoffman said on Twitter late Saturday that he was making the move because of a change in direction under the new government.
Israelis rally in Tel Aviv to protest Netanyahu’s justice policies
Russia warns West of ‘global catastrophe’ for arming Ukraine
“With the transition to a new government and different policy in Israel, my personal and professional integrity have compelled me to cut short my position and request a return to Israel this summer,” the envoy said in a tweet.
“I will continue to serve the State of Israel here in Canada with the same passion and joy until a replacement is appointed later this year.”
Hoffman, who was appointed to the role less than a year ago, did not elaborate on what he meant by “different policy.” A spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy in Ottawa said Sunday that she had no further information to add.
His decision comes after Yael German, Israel’s ambassador to France, announced in late December that he was resigning in protest against the incoming administration led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which will return to power with a governing coalition. has come which is described on the far right. Country history.
Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, called Hoffman an “outstanding individual” who is ultimately unable to let his personal views be advanced by the government he is supposed to represent.
Fogel said, “He comes from a different political tradition and he will be compatible with those who express concern about the direction of government.”
He added that Hoffman was a political appointment by a previous government of a different stripe, and it is not unusual for such envoys to resign after national elections. This is usually the case with United States ambassadors to Canada, he said.
Tension has started rising again between Israel and Palestine. Will violence increase?
Monterey Park shooting: Manhunt underway in California after 10 people killed at dance club
“The fact that he’s staying until the end of the summer, though, indicates that there is some level of mutual respect,” Fogel said. “It is an indication that there is no level of acrimony that characterized this decision.”
Joe Roberts, JSpaceCanada’s chairman of the board, said Hoffman’s statement was “diplomatic but clear”.
“I think given the deeper and more complex relationship between Israel and Canada, this is important,” said Roberts, whose organization describes itself as a Canadian voice for progressive Jewish values and Israeli-Palestinian peace. Is.
“I think this should be a clear message to the Canadian Jewish community that if someone who is serving as ambassador to Israel is willing to step down and says it is against their integrity, This means that as Jews, with our relationship to the State of Israel, it is time for us to speak up as well.
Roberts said he is calling on the Canadian government to commit to not pursuing official ties with the most “extreme elements” of the governing coalition.
Asked whether Ottawa should make such a commitment, Fogel said that Canada’s relationship is with Israel, not a particular government, and that, moreover, the members of the coalition about whom “people have worried the most”. have expressed” will not naturally come in bilateral relations. Dynamic with Canada.
“So it’s a controversial issue. But you know, we don’t get to choose who our interlocutors are from other democracies,” he said, again pointing south of the border.
Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest plans by Netanyahu’s new government to make sweeping changes to the justice system that opponents say threaten the country’s democratic foundations.
Israeli media, citing police, said that around 100,000 people were protesting.
The protest followed another demonstration last week that attracted thousands in an early challenge to Netanyahu and his ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox coalition government.
The government says the power imbalance has left judges and government legal advisers with too much power over lawmaking and governance. Netanyahu has vowed to go ahead with the changes despite opposition.
Protests have begun in Israel against the policies of the new government
Lisa Marie Presley funeral: Hundreds gather at Graceland to mourn singer-songwriter’s death
In addition to the protests, the country’s attorney general asked Netanyahu to sack a key cabinet aide following a Supreme Court ruling that disqualified him from holding government office because of his conviction for tax crimes.
Netanyahu, who is himself on trial for corruption, fired the minister on Sunday in hopes of deepening a rift over the power of the courts.
With files from The Associated Press.
© 2023 The Canadian Press