Netanyahu taps Ron Dermer as new Israeli ambassador to U.S.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced that he has chosen his close aide Ron Dermer as the next Israeli ambassador to the U.S. The current ambassador, Michael Oren, said last week that he would step down this fall.

“Ron Dermer has all of the necessary traits to fill this position successfully,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “From many years of acquaintance with him, I know that Ron will loyally serve Israel in the capital of the United States.”

Oren, who grew up in New Jersey, was Israel’s first American-born ambassador to the U.S., and he will be succeeded by the second; Dermer is a native of Miami Beach, Fla.

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Before Tuesday’s official announcement, Army Radio reported last month that Dermer would be appointed.

His candidacy had been in question for some time, according to the Army Radio report, as he was considered a “red sheet” in Obama administration circles for his perceived support of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in last summer’s race. But Dermer has managed to improve his ties with the Obama administration and with Secretary of State John Kerry in particular, the report said, leading the administration to remove its objection to his appointment.