Israel ends standoff with Brazil over ‘settler’ ambassador

Jerusalem / AFP

Israel on Thursday ended an eight-month standoff with Brazil over its bid to appoint a controversial former settlement leader as its ambassador to the country.
In a dispute that soured relations, Brazil refused to accept the nomination of Danny Dayan, made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last August.
Israel’s government initially dug in its heels, refusing to suggest a new candidate, but on Thursday invited new applications for the position.
“The foreign ministry human resources department has published today a tender which is addressed to the Israeli diplomats here at the foreign ministry, for the position of ambassador in Brasilia,” foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said.
The process is expected to take around a month, with a new name then to be submitted to Brazil.
The dispute began last summer when Netanyahu announced Dayan, who was born in Argentina and moved to Israel aged 15 in 1971, was the country’s preferred choice.
Brazil’s government reportedly opposed Dayan because of his opposition to a Palestinian state and because Israel failed to consult over its choice.
Dayan headed the Yesha Council of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank between 2007 and 2013.
Brazil recognised the Palestinian state in 2010.
Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law and seen as major stumbling blocks to peace efforts.