Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan will be heading to the United States after accepting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to serve as Israel's next ambassador to the United Nations, replacing Danny Danon.
But in an unconventional move, the Prime Minister's Office also announced that Erdan will be taking over as the country's next Ambassador to the U.S. from Ron Dermer, who has served in Washington since July 2013.
"I am proud and emotional about the honor to fight for the justice of our cause in the international arena and defend Israel in the face of the challenges ahead," Erdan said in a statement.
It remains unclear how will Erdan juggle between the responsibilities of both offices, but a spokesman for his office said that he was confident he can manage each role effectively and will travel between Washington D.C. and New York.
Erdan has been reluctant to assume a diplomatic role in the past, rejecting multiple offers in recent years, but was finally persuaded after meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem over the weekend.
Netanyahu will now have more latitude in appointing the ministers of his next government with Erdan's new post in the states.