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Dual US-UN Roles Mean Heavy Workload for New Israeli Envoy

Natalie Liu

   WASHINGTON - Fast-rising Israeli politician GiladErdanhas no illusions
   about the workload he will face when he arrives in the United States
   next month to take up his new post as ambassador to the United Nations
   -- and simultaneously as ambassador to the United States later this
   year.

   Both posts are of critical importance to Israel, and liable to be
   especially sensitive if the new Israeli government sworn in Sunday goes
   ahead with a plan to annex one-third of the West Bank, in line with
   U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan.

   "It's a big job,"Erdanacknowledged in an interview with the Jerusalem
   Post published Monday. But noting that he has previously held multiple
   cabinet posts simultaneously, he said, "I know how to work around the
   clock."

   Asked about the unprecedented decision to have one person hold both
   posts at the same time, U.S. analysts suggested it had a lot to do with
   Israeli domestic politics andErdan'sfuture role in the Likud party,
   headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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