Defense Ministry downsizes New York mission

Government to cut more than 40% of staff after significantly downsizing operations in Europe

Yossi Yehoshua|Published: 11.01.12 , 13:33

After cutting the number of missions and envoys in Europe, the Defense Ministry is now downsizing one of the most popular missions among ministry staff – the New York mission.

Defense Ministry Director-General Udi Shani has instructed the ministry's human resources manager to cut more than 40% of the staff in New York, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.

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The envoys currently stationed in the city will not be fired but will not be replaced upon their return to Israel. The ministry is also planning to cut 40% of local staff working at the mission.

A previous cut in the mission's staff was made in 2009 following a recommendation by the McKinsey & Company management consulting firm.

In Europe, the ministry has cut half of all envoy positions. As part of the overhaul, the ministry closed its Brussels office and merged the Germany and France missions.

There is now a small number of envoys working in Europe to coordinate the purchase and export of defense systems and to promote Israel's security cooperation with other nations.

However, defense officials believe there is room for further cuts now that transactions can be made without the presence of a permanent envoy in the target country.