Israeli Foreign Ministry Secretary General Steps Down

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Foreign Ministry Director General Dr. Dore Gold cited "personal reasons" for submitting his resignation on Thursday.

Gold has worked closely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for more than 25 years, serving as a foreign policy adviser in Netanyahu's first term as prime minister and as Israeli U.N. ambassador from 1997 to 1999.

"I would like to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his confidence in me," Gold said in a press statement Thursday. "As in the past, I will make myself available to the prime minister's needs in any capacity he sees fit."

Gold said serving as director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "marked a high point" in his diplomatic career.

"I am grateful to the Foreign Ministry's dedicated professionals and for the opportunity to work with them in leading Israel's diplomatic battles," he said.

"During my tenure as director general and through the leadership of the prime minister, Israel has seen tremendous growth in its international outreach. I feel great pride in having been a partner in this," he said, wishing his replacement success.

The prime minister thanked him for his contribution to Israel's foreign policy.

"I thank Dr. Dore Gold for his great contribution to strengthening Israel's diplomatic relations worldwide, including Africa and the Middle East and appreciate it very much," Netanyahu said.