Ron Dermer Resigns as Minister of Strategic Affairs After Three Years in Office

After three years in the post, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening. The move, which had been expected for several weeks, ends one of the closest working partnerships in Netanyahu’s government, as he has long been considered one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted advisers and a central figure in Israel’s diplomatic and security coordination with the United States.

In his letter of resignation, Dermer wrote, “I write this letter to notify you of my decision to resign as Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs.” He explained his decision by saying: “When I joined your government in December 2022, I told my family that I would serve as a minister for two years. I have already extended that commitment twice, with their blessing — first to work with you to remove the existential threat posed by Iran’s military nuclear capability and second to end the war in Gaza on Israel’s terms and bring our hostages home.”

Dermer described the period following the October 7th attack as one that “will define this government,” saying it marked the start of “a two-year, seven-front war.” He praised Netanyahu's leadership throughout, writing: “For the past three years, your experienced and strong leadership has been indispensable. Standing up to both internal and external pressures, you wisely navigated Israel through this war.”

Dermer reflected on his personal future at the end, writing: “What the future holds for me I do not know, but one thing I know for sure: in everything I do, I will continue to do my part to secure the future of the Jewish people.”

Dermer is expected to remain involved in certain diplomatic efforts, including work to expand the Abraham Accords. Some of his responsibilities related to ties with the Trump administration are expected to shift to Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, who will remain in Washington.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Dermer for his years of service, saying: “Thank you for the immense help you gave me and the State of Israel. I am confident that you still have much to contribute in the future.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also responded, saying: “I had, and still have, many disagreements with Ron Dermer, but I have never doubted that he is a Zionist and a patriot who wants the best for the country. I thank him and wish him success going forward.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called Dermer “absolutely the right man in the right place,” adding: “Thank you for working together for Israel’s future, for hours of discussion and even disagreements, when the goal was clear — to safeguard the security of Israel’s citizens. The people of Israel owe you deep gratitude.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz praised Dermer’s “devotion and deep responsibility,” saying that together they worked “to strengthen Israel’s position in the world, its strategic alliance with the United States, and international support for the struggle to free the hostages and ensure Israel’s security.”

Dermer, who has served as Netanyahu’s adviser for over a decade, played a key role in shaping Israel’s policy during the war and in managing ties with Washington. His departure marks the end of one of Netanyahu’s most loyal partnerships, though he is expected to continue working alongside the Prime Minister in a special envoy capacity.