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'''Danny Danon''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: דני דנון, born 8 May 1971) is an Israeli politician and former diplomat. A member of the [[Likud]] party, Danon served in the [[Knesset]] from 2009 to 2015, and re-entered the Knesset in 2022. From 2015 to 2020, Danon served as [[Israel]]'s 17th [[Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations|Permanent Representative to the]] [[United Nations]]. The former leader of the world [[Betar]] organization, Danon was elected Chairman of the World Likud.<ref name=":0" /> Considered a 'right-wing thorn in Netanyahu's side",<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGreal |first=Chris |date=2015-10-01 |title=Israel's new UN ambassador is a rightwing thorn in Netanyahu's side |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/01/israel-un-ambassador-danny-danon-palestine-netanyahu |access-date=2023-11-08 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Danon challenged [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] for the party's leadership in [[2007 Likud leadership election|2007]] and [[2014 Likud leadership election|2014]].<ref name=":1" />
'''Danny Danon''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: דני דנון, born 8 May 1971) is an Israeli politician and former diplomat. A member of the [[Likud]] party, Danon served in the [[Knesset]] from 2009 to 2015, and re-entered the Knesset in 2022. From 2015 to 2020, Danon served as [[Israel]]'s 17th [[Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations|Permanent Representative to the]] [[United Nations]]. The former leader of the world [[Betar]] organization, Danon was elected Chairman of the World Likud.<ref name=":0">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=728305 Betar chair trounces MK Steinitz in World Likud poll] Haaretz, 19 June 2006</ref> Considered a 'right-wing thorn in Netanyahu's side",<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGreal |first=Chris |date=2015-10-01 |title=Israel's new UN ambassador is a rightwing thorn in Netanyahu's side |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/01/israel-un-ambassador-danny-danon-palestine-netanyahu |access-date=2023-11-08 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Danon challenged [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] for the party's leadership in [[2007 Likud leadership election|2007]] and [[2014 Likud leadership election|2014]].<ref name=":1" />


First elected to the Knesset in the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|2009 election]], Danon served as Deputy [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Minister of Defense]], which coincided with the outbreak of the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict|2014 Israel-Gaza conflict]]. In this capacity, Danon cutting off all fuel supplies to the [[Gaza Strip]] to induce [[Hamas]] to request a ceasefire proposal.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> During the conflict, Danon was quoted as stating "If we don't get the soldier back within a few hours we should start levelling Gaza."<ref name=":4" /> He was ultimately fired by Netanyahu for criticizing the Prime Minister's willingness to accept a proposed ceasefire.<ref name=":5" /> In 2015, Danon was appointed to serve as [[Ministry of Science, Technology and Space|Minister of Science, Technology and Space]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gedalyah |first=Reback |date=2015-05-17 |title=Jokers skewer space minister Danon |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/web-skewers-danny-danon-minister-of-space/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>
First elected to the Knesset in the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|2009 election]], Danon served as Deputy [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Minister of Defense]], which coincided with the outbreak of the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict|2014 Israel-Gaza conflict]]. In this capacity, Danon cutting off all fuel supplies to the [[Gaza Strip]] to induce [[Hamas]] to request a ceasefire proposal.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> During the conflict, Danon was quoted as stating "If we don't get the soldier back within a few hours we should start levelling Gaza."<ref name=":4" /> He was ultimately fired by Netanyahu for criticizing the Prime Minister's willingness to accept a proposed ceasefire.<ref name=":5" /> In 2015, Danon was appointed to serve as [[Ministry of Science, Technology and Space|Minister of Science, Technology and Space]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gedalyah |first=Reback |date=2015-05-17 |title=Jokers skewer space minister Danon |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/web-skewers-danny-danon-minister-of-space/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>
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He earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[International relations|international affairs]] from the [[Florida International University]], and a [[master's degree]] in [[public policy]] from the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]]. After his [[national service]] in the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] between 1989 and 1993, Danon was sent to [[Miami]] by the [[Jewish Agency for Israel|Jewish Agency]].<ref name="paz2">{{Cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304701575&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull|title=On the cusp|last=Paz|first=Shelly|date=2009-02-05|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=2009-03-04}}</ref>
He earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[International relations|international affairs]] from the [[Florida International University]], and a [[master's degree]] in [[public policy]] from the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]]. After his [[national service]] in the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] between 1989 and 1993, Danon was sent to [[Miami]] by the [[Jewish Agency for Israel|Jewish Agency]].<ref name="paz2">{{Cite news|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304701575&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull|title=On the cusp|last=Paz|first=Shelly|date=2009-02-05|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=2009-03-04}}</ref>


== Political career ==
== Early political career ==
⚫
Danon's time as an emissary for the [[Jewish Agency for Israel|Jewish Agency]] had a big impact on his life; it was the first stepping stone in his choice to enter public service. Upon his return to [[Israel]], Danon served as an adviser to the Chair of the [[Knesset]] [[Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee|Foreign affairs and Defense Committee]], MK [[Uzi Landau]].
In 1996, he was appointed assistant to Likud MK [[Uzi Landau]]. Later on he became the Chairman of the World [[Betar]] organization for a few years. Prior to the [[2006 Israeli legislative election|2006 elections]], Danon won the 23rd spot on Likud's list in the party primaries. However, the party won only 12 seats in the general election, and Danon did not enter the Knesset.<ref name="paz2" /> In June 2006, after beating MK [[Yuval Steinitz]], Danon was elected Chairman of the World Likud organization.<ref name=":0">[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=728305 Betar chair trounces MK Steinitz in World Likud poll] Haaretz, 19 June 2006</ref> Danon was active against Prime Minister [[Ariel Sharon]]'s [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|disengagement plan]] during the referendum conducted by the latter in the Likud party's central committee.


⚫
When he was 28 years old, Danon was elected Chair of the World [[Betar]] Movement. His responsibilities included managing the administrative, financial, and educational aspects of the organization in Israel and abroad, and encouraging [[aliyah]].{{Clarify|reason=Years of tenure need to be clarified|date=November 2023}}
⚫
In July 2007, Danon, described as one of [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'s biggest critics from within the Likud, declared his candidacy for the party's leadership.<ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1184672473925 Danon joins race for Likud leadership]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Jerusalem Post, 13 July 2007</ref> He eventually finished third in a [[2007 Likud leadership election|primary election]] held that August.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=סיכום פריימריס 2007 לפי אתר הצבעה |url=http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928223317/http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-28 |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=[[Likud]] |language=he}}</ref> In 2008, Danon filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice to rescind the citizenship of former MK [[Azmi Bishara]], who fled Israel after he was suspected of aiding [[Hezbollah]], an enemy organization of Israel, during the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. The petition was rejected.


⚫
From 2004 to 2009, Danon served as the chairman of the [[Likud]] faction in the [[World Zionist Organization]]. His responsibilities included encouraging aliyah to Israel and combating [[antisemitism]]. Danon also served on the board of directors of the [[Jewish Agency for Israel|Jewish Agency]], establishing policy, goals and monitoring the work of the Agency.

In the run-up to the [[2006 Israeli legislative election|2006 legislative election]], Danon was the 23rd spot on Likud's list in the party primaries. However, the party won only 12 seats in the general election, and Danon did not enter the Knesset.<ref name="paz2" />

In June 2006, Danon was elected chairman of the World Likud organization, defeating [[Yuval Steinitz]] MK for the position.<ref name=":0" /> During this period, Danon was active against Prime Minister [[Ariel Sharon]]'s [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|disengagement plan]] during the referendum conducted by the latter in the Likud party's central committee.

=== 2007 leadership campaign and aftermath ===
{{Main|2007 Likud leadership election}}
⚫
In July 2007, Danon, described as one of [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'s biggest critics from within the Likud, declared his candidacy for the party's leadership.<ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1184672473925 Danon joins race for Likud leadership]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Jerusalem Post, 13 July 2007</ref> He eventually finished third in a [[2007 Likud leadership election|primary election]] held that August.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=סיכום פריימריס 2007 לפי אתר הצבעה |url=http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928223317/http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-28 |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=[[Likud]] |language=he}}</ref>

In 2008, Danon filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice to rescind the citizenship of former MK [[Azmi Bishara]], who fled Israel after he was suspected of aiding [[Hezbollah]], an enemy organization of Israel, during the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. The petition was rejected.

== Knesset tenure ==
Prior to the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|2009 elections]] he won twenty-fourth place on the Likud list, and entered the Knesset as the party won 27 seats. He became a Deputy Speaker of the Knesset. In an August 2011 interview with Teymoor Nabili on Al Jazeera English, Mr. Danon said "There is place only for one state on the land of Israel.... I do not believe in a two-state solution."<ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/talktojazeera/2011/08/201185103022120129.html Danny Danon talks to Al Jazeera] Al Jazeera, 5 August 2011</ref>
Prior to the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|2009 elections]] he won twenty-fourth place on the Likud list, and entered the Knesset as the party won 27 seats. He became a Deputy Speaker of the Knesset. In an August 2011 interview with Teymoor Nabili on Al Jazeera English, Mr. Danon said "There is place only for one state on the land of Israel.... I do not believe in a two-state solution."<ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/talktojazeera/2011/08/201185103022120129.html Danny Danon talks to Al Jazeera] Al Jazeera, 5 August 2011</ref>


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On 14 August 2015, Danon was appointed by Netanyahu to be [[Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations|Israel's envoy to the UN]], replacing [[Ron Prosor]].<ref name="jpost12">{{Cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-appoints-Danny-Danon-as-Israels-envoy-to-the-UN-412135|title=Netanyahu appoints Danny Danon as Israel's envoy to the UN|date=14 August 2015|work=The Jerusalem Post|first1=Herb|last1=Keinon|first2=Lahav|last2=Harkov|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> He stepped down as a Knesset member and minister later in the month.
On 14 August 2015, Danon was appointed by Netanyahu to be [[Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations|Israel's envoy to the UN]], replacing [[Ron Prosor]].<ref name="jpost12">{{Cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-appoints-Danny-Danon-as-Israels-envoy-to-the-UN-412135|title=Netanyahu appoints Danny Danon as Israel's envoy to the UN|date=14 August 2015|work=The Jerusalem Post|first1=Herb|last1=Keinon|first2=Lahav|last2=Harkov|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> He stepped down as a Knesset member and minister later in the month.

In June 2016, Danon was elected as chairman of the U.N. Legal Committee, making him the first Israeli chosen to head a permanent committee of the U.N.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/77821/mideast-shorts-06-17-16/|title=mideast shorts &#124; j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California|date=17 June 2016 |publisher=Jweekly.com|access-date=2016-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-israel-elected-to-head-a-permanent-un-committee/|title=In first, Israel elected to head a permanent UN committee|last=Winer|first=Stuart|date=2016-06-13|publisher=The Times of Israel|access-date=2016-06-19}}</ref>


== Public service ==
== Public service ==


=== Member of the Likud Party ===
=== Member of the Likud Party ===
Danon's time as an emissary for the [[Jewish Agency for Israel|Jewish Agency]] had a big impact on his life; it was the first stepping stone in his choice to enter public service.

⚫
Upon his return to [[Israel]], Danon served as an adviser to the Chair of the [[Knesset]] [[Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee|Foreign affairs and Defense Committee]], MK [[Uzi Landau]].

⚫
When he was 28 years old, Danon was elected Chair of the World [[Betar]] Movement. His responsibilities included managing the administrative, financial, and educational aspects of the organization in Israel and abroad, and encouraging [[aliyah]].

⚫
From 2004 to 2009, Danon served as the chairman of the [[Likud]] faction in the [[World Zionist Organization]]. His responsibilities included encouraging aliyah to Israel and combating [[antisemitism]]. Danon also served on the board of directors of the [[Jewish Agency for Israel|Jewish Agency]], establishing policy, goals and monitoring the work of the Agency.

During the internal primary elections for the Likud Party slate in 2006, Danon was elected to the twenty-third place. In the general elections for the 17th Knesset the Likud only won twelve seats, and Danon did not enter the Knesset. Later that year, Danon ran against MK [[Yuval Steinitz]] for the position of Chairman of the World Likud.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Danon-re-elected-World-Likud-chairman|title=Danon re-elected World Likud chairman|website=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=2016-06-22}}</ref> In this new role, Danon assumed responsibility for the Likud's Israel-advocacy activities, the movement's international relations, and focused on building relationships with pro-Israel communities around the world.

=== Member of the 18th Knesset ===
=== Member of the 18th Knesset ===
On December 8, 2008, Danon was elected to the twenty-fourth place on the [[Likud]] slate for the upcoming election. In the general elections the Likud party won twenty-seven seats, and Danon was sworn in as a Member of the Knesset.
On December 8, 2008, Danon was elected to the twenty-fourth place on the [[Likud]] slate for the upcoming election. In the general elections the Likud party won twenty-seven seats, and Danon was sworn in as a Member of the Knesset.
Line 115: Line 116:
[[File:Danon2.jpg|thumb|Danon chairing the Sixth (Legal) Committee in the presence of the President of the General Assembly. His election set a precedent as the first Israeli ever to chair a UN Committee.]]
[[File:Danon2.jpg|thumb|Danon chairing the Sixth (Legal) Committee in the presence of the President of the General Assembly. His election set a precedent as the first Israeli ever to chair a UN Committee.]]


In 2016, Danon led a delegation of 14 ambassadors from the UN to Israel. Days later, the Security Council adopted resolution 2334, which noted that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace. Despite Israel anticipating the Obama administration to use its veto, the resolution passed.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
In 2016, Danon led a delegation of 14 ambassadors from the UN to Israel. Days later, the Security Council adopted resolution 2334, which noted that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace. Despite Israel anticipating the Obama administration to use its veto, the resolution passed.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} In June 2016, Danon was elected as chairman of the U.N. Legal Committee, making him the first Israeli chosen to head a permanent committee of the U.N.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 June 2016 |title=mideast shorts &#124; j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California |url=http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/77821/mideast-shorts-06-17-16/ |access-date=2016-06-19 |publisher=Jweekly.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Winer |first=Stuart |date=2016-06-13 |title=In first, Israel elected to head a permanent UN committee |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-israel-elected-to-head-a-permanent-un-committee/ |access-date=2016-06-19 |publisher=The Times of Israel}}</ref>


On May 31, 2017, Danon was elected as Vice President of the General Assembly as the representative of the Western European and Others (WEOG) group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-31 |title=Israeli ambassador to UN Danny Danon elected VP of General Assembly, win seen as a triumph for Israel |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/israeli-ambassador-danny-danon-elected-vp-general-assembly/story?id=47756713 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>
On May 31, 2017, Danon was elected as Vice President of the General Assembly as the representative of the Western European and Others (WEOG) group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-31 |title=Israeli ambassador to UN Danny Danon elected VP of General Assembly, win seen as a triumph for Israel |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/israeli-ambassador-danny-danon-elected-vp-general-assembly/story?id=47756713 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:28, 9 November 2023

Danny Danon
Danny Danon
Ministerial roles
2015Minister of Science, Technology & Space
Faction represented in the Knesset
2009–2015Likud
2022–Likud
Diplomatic roles
2015–2020Permanent Representative to the UN
Personal details
Born (1971-05-08) 8 May 1971 (age 53)
Ramat Gan, Israel
Alma materFlorida International University (BA)
Hebrew University of Jerusalem (MA)

Danny Danon (Hebrew: דני דנון, born 8 May 1971) is an Israeli politician and former diplomat. A member of the Likud party, Danon served in the Knesset from 2009 to 2015, and re-entered the Knesset in 2022. From 2015 to 2020, Danon served as Israel's 17th Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The former leader of the world Betar organization, Danon was elected Chairman of the World Likud.[1] Considered a 'right-wing thorn in Netanyahu's side",[2] Danon challenged Benjamin Netanyahu for the party's leadership in 2007 and 2014.[3]

First elected to the Knesset in the 2009 election, Danon served as Deputy Minister of Defense, which coincided with the outbreak of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. In this capacity, Danon cutting off all fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip to induce Hamas to request a ceasefire proposal.[4][5] During the conflict, Danon was quoted as stating "If we don't get the soldier back within a few hours we should start levelling Gaza."[6] He was ultimately fired by Netanyahu for criticizing the Prime Minister's willingness to accept a proposed ceasefire.[7] In 2015, Danon was appointed to serve as Minister of Science, Technology and Space.[8]

Danon became Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 2015, and made history in 2016 by being the first Israeli elected chair of the UN's Legal Committee.[9] In his capacity, Danon supported the United States' recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel in 2017, and criticized supporters of UN General Assembly Resolution ES-10/19 as "puppets pulled by the strings of the Palestinian puppet masters".[10][11] Danon left the position in 2020, and was replaced by Gilad Erdan.[12]

Following his tenure at the UN, Danon re-entered Israeli politics, and was elected to the Knesset in the 2022 election. In a 2021 interview, Danon indicated that he would be interested in pursuing leadership of the Likud party in the future.[13]

Early life and education

Danon was born in Ramat Gan to Yosef and Yoheved Danon. His father was born in Egypt, and moved to Israel in 1950. He was severely wounded in the Jordan Valley during the War of Attrition, and died when Danny was 13. Danon attended Blich High School and was a member of the Betar youth movement.

In 1989, he was drafted into the army and completed his officer's course with distinction. He served as an officer in the Education Corps and was released with the rank of captain. In his final military posting, he served as an officer in the Marava unit, a military program for Jews from around the world to strengthen ties to Israel.

He earned a bachelor's degree in international affairs from the Florida International University, and a master's degree in public policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After his national service in the IDF between 1989 and 1993, Danon was sent to Miami by the Jewish Agency.[14]

Early political career

Danon's time as an emissary for the Jewish Agency had a big impact on his life; it was the first stepping stone in his choice to enter public service. Upon his return to Israel, Danon served as an adviser to the Chair of the Knesset Foreign affairs and Defense Committee, MK Uzi Landau.

When he was 28 years old, Danon was elected Chair of the World Betar Movement. His responsibilities included managing the administrative, financial, and educational aspects of the organization in Israel and abroad, and encouraging aliyah.[clarification needed]

From 2004 to 2009, Danon served as the chairman of the Likud faction in the World Zionist Organization. His responsibilities included encouraging aliyah to Israel and combating antisemitism. Danon also served on the board of directors of the Jewish Agency, establishing policy, goals and monitoring the work of the Agency.

In the run-up to the 2006 legislative election, Danon was the 23rd spot on Likud's list in the party primaries. However, the party won only 12 seats in the general election, and Danon did not enter the Knesset.[14]

In June 2006, Danon was elected chairman of the World Likud organization, defeating Yuval Steinitz MK for the position.[1] During this period, Danon was active against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan during the referendum conducted by the latter in the Likud party's central committee.

2007 leadership campaign and aftermath

Main article: 2007 Likud leadership election

In July 2007, Danon, described as one of Benjamin Netanyahu's biggest critics from within the Likud, declared his candidacy for the party's leadership.[15] He eventually finished third in a primary election held that August.[3]

In 2008, Danon filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice to rescind the citizenship of former MK Azmi Bishara, who fled Israel after he was suspected of aiding Hezbollah, an enemy organization of Israel, during the 2006 Lebanon War. The petition was rejected.

Knesset tenure

Prior to the 2009 elections he won twenty-fourth place on the Likud list, and entered the Knesset as the party won 27 seats. He became a Deputy Speaker of the Knesset. In an August 2011 interview with Teymoor Nabili on Al Jazeera English, Mr. Danon said "There is place only for one state on the land of Israel.... I do not believe in a two-state solution."[16]

During his term in the 18th Knesset, Danon served as Deputy Speaker, Chair of the Special Committee on the Rights of the Child, and Chair of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs

After being re-elected in 2013, Danon was appointed as Deputy Minister of Defense in Netanyahu's government. However, on 15 July 2014 Danon was fired from the position by Netanyahu after publicly criticizing Netanyahu's handling of Operation Protective Edge.[17][18]

Danon submitted his candidacy for the 2014 Likud leadership election on 8 December 2014.[19] The only candidate to run against Netanyahu, he received 19% of the votes. After retaining his Knesset seat in the 2015 elections, Danon was appointed Minister of Science, Technology and Space in Netanyahu's new government.

On 14 August 2015, Danon was appointed by Netanyahu to be Israel's envoy to the UN, replacing Ron Prosor.[20] He stepped down as a Knesset member and minister later in the month.

Public service

Member of the Likud Party

Member of the 18th Knesset

On December 8, 2008, Danon was elected to the twenty-fourth place on the Likud slate for the upcoming election. In the general elections the Likud party won twenty-seven seats, and Danon was sworn in as a Member of the Knesset.

During this term, MK Danon served as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset,[21] Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and Chair of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs. These positions presented Danon with the opportunities to promote legislation in a variety of fields.

In addition to the committees that he chaired, Danon was also a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the Finance Committee, the Education, Culture and Sports Committee, the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and the Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality.

Legislation that Danon promoted included laws granting widows (including those who remarried) of fallen Israeli security personnel and terror attack victims the rights to receive grants from the government.[22] He also promoted a law in which ensured that pardoned convicts who committed a crime during their parole period would automatically be re-imprisoned.[23] In addition, Danon passed a law that limited the promotion and advertisement of alcoholic beverages,[24] and a law that set minimum weight requirements for the modeling industry and required advertisers to disclose whether Photoshop was used in their ads.[25]

Member of the 19th Knesset – Deputy Minister of Defense

In the Likud internal primaries for the 19th Knesset, Danon won the fifth place, and on March 17, 2013, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense.

During his term, Danon focused on increasing enlistment to the IDF from the Christian, and the Ultra-Orthodox and Ethiopian Jewish communities, bettering the service conditions of reservists, establishing criteria for financial benefits for the security forces, and decreasing the number of military drop-outs.

In June 2013, Danon was elected Chair of the Likud Party Central Committee, with 85% of the votes.

On July 15, 2014, Danon was dismissed from his position by Prime Minister Netanyahu after publicly criticizing his conduct and his willingness to accept a truce with Hamas during Operation Protective Edge.[7]

Later that year, in December 2014, Danon placed 9th in the Likud's internal primary elections. After the Likud victory in the general elections for the 20th Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu appointed Danon to his cabinet to the position of Minister of Science, Technology and Space.[26]

Member of the 20th Knesset – Minister of Science, Technology and Space

One of the first decisions Danon made after his appointment as Minister of Science, Technology and Space, was to designate the upcoming year as the year of Pioneering Women in Science and Technology. Danon also led efforts to increase awareness for science, technology and space among the residents of developing cities in Israel, by increasing the number of science-focused summer camps. Danon led negotiations with the Ministry of Finance and succeeded in increasing his Ministry's budget by 20%.

During his time in office, Danon dealt with strengthening ties and cooperation between countries and companies around the world. In June 2015, he signed a cooperation agreement with Lockheed Martin on promoting science, technology and space among children. He also visited the Sesame Particle Accelerator in Jordan, which Israel is participating in, to broaden the cooperation between the two states.

Danon served in this position until August 27, 2015, when Prime Minister Netanyahu appointed him as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN.[27]

Legislative accomplishments

During his tenure in the Knesset, Danon initiated the enactment of the following laws:

  • "Weight Limitation Law" (with MK Rachel Adato): To protect models working in the modeling industry, the law states that underweight models (those with a BMI under 18.5) are not allowed to appear in advertisements within Israel. In addition, if graphic editing software is used to control the size of the model, the advertiser will be required to add a caption that takes up at least 7% of the advertisement space to reference this graphical adjustment.[28]
  • "Limitations of Marketing Alcoholic Beverages": This law prohibits any advertisement of alcoholic beverages on materials such as billboards and printed items that are intended to be viewed by minors (below the age of 18). In addition, alcoholic beverages should not be offered as prizes in television or radio programs for minors and minors are forbidden to be involved in any form of advertising for intoxicants.[29]
  • Amendment to the "Youth Working Law" (with MK Aryeh Eldad), which prohibits the employment of children in blatant advertising.[30]
  • Amendment to the "National Health Insurance Law" (with MK Zeev Beilski), which expanded the level of government funding for medical treatment eligibility to children on the autistic spectrum.[31]
  • Amendment to the "Weapon’s Law", which lowers the age needed to enter and use a shooting range.[32]

Permanent Representative to the UN

Danny Danon became Israel's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in October 2015.[33] At that time a wave of terrorist attack struck Israel, and the situation in Israel made its way to UN discussions.[34] Danon's first speech took place at the Security Council's meeting on the Situation in the Middle East. The Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, interrupted Danon's speech, violating protocol. In a Security Council meeting on the same issue in April 2015, Danon accused the Palestinian representative for failing to condemn terror.[35]

Ambassador Danon has visited Israel with the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon,[36] where they visited Israelis wounded in the recent wave of terror attacks, and met with the wife of late Richard Lakin, who was brutally stabbed in a terror attack in the capital's Armon Hanatziv neighborhood. Danon visited Israel again with US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, where they toured Israel by helicopter and were briefed on the security challenges Israel faces.[37]

During Danon's term as Permanent Representative, the Israeli Mission marked several notable achievements including: Recognition of Yom Kippur as an Official UN holiday,[38] Acceptance to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS),[39] ZAKA and Access Israel, both Israeli NGOs, received consultative status at the UN,[40][41] an Israeli UN resolution on Agricultural Technologies for Sustainable Development was adopted by the UN General Assembly,[42] US Secretary of State John Kerry attended an event marking 40 years since Chaim Herzog’s historic UN speech,[43] Israel held the first ever international summit at the UN against BDS,[44] and Ambassador Danon became the first ever Israeli representative to chair a main UN committee.[45] The Israeli Mission also held an event in remembrance of the Jews that were persecuted in Arab countries.[citation needed]

His time as envoy to the UN is also characterized by a strong push against the UN’s historically negative treatment of Israel. After 8 months elapsed in which the UN refused to condemn the wave of terror in Israel, including a statement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that it is “Human Nature to react to occupation,[46]” On June 9, both the Secretary General[47] and the Security Council[48] condemned terror in Israel for the first time following the Attack in the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv. In addition, the Israeli Mission partnered with "Stand With Us" to display an exhibit about Israel, which was partially censored for its panels about Jerusalem and Zionism, was later displayed fully following pressure and diplomatic efforts by Ambassador Danon.[citation needed]

Danon chairing the Sixth (Legal) Committee in the presence of the President of the General Assembly. His election set a precedent as the first Israeli ever to chair a UN Committee.

In 2016, Danon led a delegation of 14 ambassadors from the UN to Israel. Days later, the Security Council adopted resolution 2334, which noted that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem, are a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace. Despite Israel anticipating the Obama administration to use its veto, the resolution passed.[citation needed] In June 2016, Danon was elected as chairman of the U.N. Legal Committee, making him the first Israeli chosen to head a permanent committee of the U.N.[49][50]

On May 31, 2017, Danon was elected as Vice President of the General Assembly as the representative of the Western European and Others (WEOG) group.[51]

Danon strongly condemned the UN’s repeated denunciations of Israel at the UN.[52] A noteworthy instance is in his speech in response to UN Resolution 2334 which denounced Israeli construction in Jerusalem. Danon likewise delivered a speech to the UN General Assembly in December 2017 in response to criticism of a decision by the US to move its embassy to Jerusalem.[53]

Danon slammed supporters of General Assembly Resolution ES-10/19, which declared the status of Jerusalem as Israel's capital "null and void". In a speech, he referred to supporters of the resolution as "puppets pulled by the strings of the Palestinian puppet masters", comparing them to "marionettes forced to dance while the Palestinian leadership looks on with glee".[54]

Return to politics

On 29 June 2022, ahead of an upcoming legislative election, Danon announced his intention to run for a spot on the Likud's electoral list,[55] and won the 15th spot in a party primary held that August.[56] He unsuccessfully stood for the position of Speaker of the Knesset.[57]

Described as a a "Likud heavyweight" by The Jerusalem Post, he indicated in a 2021 interview that he would be interested in pursuing leadership of Likud in the future.[13]

Views on conflict with Palestinians

In 2013, Danon asserted that the Likud party has no place for anyone supporting a peace agreement with the Palestinians. He is opposed to a two-state solution. He argues for extending Israeli sovereignty over the majority of the West Bank.[58][59] Two year prior, in May 2011, Danon advocated that Israel annex all West Bank settlements and "uninhabited areas". He concluded that Israel would bear no responsibility to Palestinians in the West Bank, who would live in their own "unannexed" towns and that this solution would avert the "threat to the Jewish and democratic status of Israel by a growing Palestinian population".[60]

Danon has advocated for punitive attacks against Palestinian civilians and infrastructure, including a suggestion that Israel "delete" one neighborhood in Gaza in response for every rocket launched by Hamas.[61]

In July 2014, Danon advocated cutting off all electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza to induce Hamas to request a cease-fire.[4][5] Subsequently, on August 1, 2014, after the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, Danon was quoted as saying "If we don't get the soldier back within a few hours we should start levelling Gaza."[6]

Writing

Danon published his first book in September 2012, titled Israel: the Will to Prevail. The book analyzes the Israel–US relationship and presents alternative approaches to the conventional wisdom on negotiating peace between Israelis and Palestinians. It also criticizes President Obama's approach to Israel.

References

  1. ^ a b Betar chair trounces MK Steinitz in World Likud poll Haaretz, 19 June 2006
  2. ^ McGreal, Chris (2015-10-01). "Israel's new UN ambassador is a rightwing thorn in Netanyahu's side". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  3. ^ a b "סיכום פריימריס 2007 לפי אתר הצבעה" (PDF). Likud (in Hebrew). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  4. ^ a b "Deputy defense minister demands Israel cut off fuel, electricity supply to Gaza". The Jerusalem Post. July 9, 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Minister Campaigns to Cut Electricity to Gaza". Israel National News. Arutz Sheva. July 9, 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b "MK Danon to Ynet: If the soldier isn't returned, 'we should start leveling Gaza'". Ynetnews. Yedioth Media Group. August 1, 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Netanyahu fires Danny Danon over criticism of Gaza war". The Times of Israel. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  8. ^ Gedalyah, Reback (2015-05-17). "Jokers skewer space minister Danon". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  9. ^ "In first for Israel, Danon elected chairman of UN Legal Committee". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
  10. ^ "UN Overwhelmingly Rejects US Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital". Voice of America. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  11. ^ "Danon: Supporters of UN resolution are 'puppets pulled by Palestinian masters'". The Times of Israel. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  12. ^ "Cabinet approves Gilad Erdan as ambassador to the UN and the US". The Times of Israel. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  13. ^ a b "Danny Danon sees himself as a future Likud leader". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  14. ^ a b Paz, Shelly (2009-02-05). "On the cusp". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  15. ^ Danon joins race for Likud leadership[permanent dead link‍] Jerusalem Post, 13 July 2007
  16. ^ Danny Danon talks to Al Jazeera Al Jazeera, 5 August 2011
  17. ^ Azulay, Moran (15 July 2014). "Netanyahu fires Danon for critical remarks". Ynet. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Ex-deputy defense minister says criticism of negligent handling of Hamas tunnels led to ouster". The Jerusalem Post. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Danny Danon submits candidacy for Likud leadership". The Times of Israel. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
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  24. ^ "MK Danon: Alcohol Advertising Law Will Prevent Abuse - Latest News Briefs - Arutz Sheva". Arutz Sheva. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
  25. ^ Azulay, Moran (19 March 2012). "New law bans use of underweight models in ads". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
  26. ^ "Danny Danon Appointed Minister of Science, Technology and Space – Latest News Briefs – Arutz Sheva". Arutz Sheva. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  27. ^ Ravid, Barak (2015-08-14). "Netanyahu to Appoint Danny Danon as Israel's Next UN Envoy". Haaretz. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  28. ^ "חוק". main.knesset.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  29. ^ אזולאי, צבי לביא ומורן (2012). "אושר החוק להגבלת פרסום לאלכוהול לקטינים". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  30. ^ "הצעת חוק". main.knesset.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  31. ^ "הצעת חוק". main.knesset.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  32. ^ "הצעת חוק". m.knesset.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  33. ^ Guttman, Nathan (5 October 2015). "How Danny Danon Went From Israel's Rebel to Top Diplomat". Forward. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  34. ^ "12 UN Security Council resolutions against terror - 0 for Israel". Arutz Sheva. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  35. ^ "Israeli, Palestinian envoys turn UN meet into shouting match". The Times of Israel. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  36. ^ Wootliff, Raoul (20 October 2015). "Ban Ki-moon making surprise Israel trip to calm tensions". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  37. ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (17 February 2016). "US ambassador to the UN hears tales of rocket fire from Israeli mothers". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  38. ^ Tal Trachtman Alroy (19 December 2015). "U.N. recognizes Yom Kippur as official holiday". CNN. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  39. ^ "Israel accepted to UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 29 Oct 2015". Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  40. ^ "UN gives ZAKA official consultant status". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  41. ^ "Access Israel Organization was granted the status of a 'Special Adviser' to the UN's Economic and Social Committee!". www.aisrael.org. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  42. ^ "Agricultural Technology for Sustainable Development among Eight Texts Approved by Second Committee | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  43. ^ Section, United Nations News Service. "UN News Centre - Remarks to Event Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Chaim Herzog's Speech Against General Assembly Resolution 3379 Equating Zionism with Racism". UN News Service Section. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  44. ^ Speyer, Lea (31 May 2016). "At UN Summit, Israel Ambassador, World Jewish Leader Slam 'Infected' International Body for Backing BDS". The Algemeiner. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  45. ^ "In first, Israel elected to head a permanent UN committee". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  46. ^ "UN's Ban on Palestinian Violence: It Is 'Human Nature' to React to Occupation". Haaretz. Associated Press. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  47. ^ Section, United Nations News Service (2016-06-08). "UN News - UN chief condemns deadly terrorist attack in Tel Aviv". UN News Service Section. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  48. ^ "UN Security Council condemns Tel Aviv terror attack". The Times of Israel. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  49. ^ "mideast shorts | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California". Jweekly.com. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  50. ^ Winer, Stuart (2016-06-13). "In first, Israel elected to head a permanent UN committee". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  51. ^ "Israeli ambassador to UN Danny Danon elected VP of General Assembly, win seen as a triumph for Israel". ABC News. 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  52. ^ Eichner, Itamar; Levy, Elior; Press, Reuters and The Associated (2017-12-21). "UN declares US Jerusalem decision 'null, void'". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2022-02-10. {{cite news}}: |first3= has generic name (help)
  53. ^ staff, T. O. I. (23 December 2016). "'We will overcome this evil decree,' Israel tells UNSC after anti-settlement vote". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  54. ^ "UN Overwhelmingly Rejects US Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital". Voice of America. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  55. ^ "דני דנון ירוץ בפריימריז של הליכוד: "סומך על הבוחרים"". סרוגים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  56. ^ "אמסלם המריא, כהן הפתיע, אכזבה לכ"ץ ואדלשטיין: זו רשימת הליכוד לכנסת הבאה". Maariv (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  57. ^ "Danny Danon determined: I want the position of Speaker of the Knesset". Israel National News. 2022-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  58. ^ David Horowitz, 'Danny Danon, dismally, is the true face of Netanyahu’s Israel,' Times of Israel 14 August 2015.
  59. ^ Kalman, Aaron (September 4, 2013). "Supporters of peace deal have no place in Likud, says MK". Times of Israel. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  60. ^ Danon, Danny (May 18, 2011). "Making the Land of Israel Whole". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  61. ^ Remnick, David (21 January 2013). "The Party Faithful". The New Yorker. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
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