The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to lower its profile in the fight against the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement (BDS) after the Ministry of Strategic Affairs under the direction of Minister Gilad Erdan has taken the dominant role in the fight.
The Foreign Ministry decided to close its special department after the current head, Amir Ofek, was appointed Ambassador to Costa Rica.
Sources at the Foreign Ministry noted that once BDS passed to the auspices of a different ministry, the Foreign Ministry became a marginal player and there was no need to maintain an entire department dedicated to the issue.
However, the source noted, "We will continue to deal with this issue, but with a lower profile and with a different emphasis."
The Ministry of Strategic Affairs under Erdan received a budget of NIS 250 million for 2017-2018. In the last two months, the ministry has succeeded in recording several successes in torpedoing initiatives aimed at harming Israel on the international stage.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying, "There is no change in the ministry's full commitment in the fight against BDS. We are acting and will continue to act on this matter. As part of the reorganization of departments, changes were made in the responsibility of units."