In a move that angered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Jewish Agency on Thursday announced it had chosen Opposition Leader and Labor MK Isaac Herzog to replace outgoing agency head Natan Sharansky.
Netanyahu has canceled a planned meeting with Jewish Agency and Diaspora leaders scheduled for Monday in protest against the move. The Prime Minister's Office is also reportedly examining additional sanctions that could be placed on the agency.
Netanyahu had wanted Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz for the role, but sources close to the prime minister said Steinitz's name was first raised earlier this week in a meeting between Netanyahu and Jewish Agency Board Chairman Michael Siegal.
According to sources involved in the Jewish Agency's decision-making process, Steinitz never submitted his nomination, expressed interest in the position, or met with senior Jewish Agency officials. They also said Steinitz was never informed Netanyahu had nominated him.
As well as Herzog, Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Michael Oren was also named a candidate for the position.
However, on Thursday, just a few hours before Netanyahu's meeting with Siegal, Oren withdrew his candidacy, leaving Herzog the sole candidate.
Netanyahu was reportedly surprised to learn of Oren's decision from senior agency representatives, and in response floated Steinitz as a possible alternative.
Out of respect for Netanyahu's request to examine Steinitz's candidacy, agency heads interviewed the energy minister on Thursday.
Despite the prime minister's view, Education Minister Naftali Bennett congratulated Herzog on his appointment, saying, "The Knesset has lost an excellent parliamentarian. The Jewish people have gained a man of vision and action."
Herzog will begin his four-year term as Jewish Agency chairman in August. Labor party head Avi Gabbay, who is not a Knesset member, is expected to choose the next opposition leader, with possible candidates including MKs Tzipi Livni (Hatnuah) and Shelly Yachimovich (Labor).
