Ron Dermer, Netanyahu’s trusted aide known as ‘Bibi’s Brain,’ resigns from Israeli government

Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer – one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest allies – has stepped down after more than two years in office.

The 54-year-old, often described as “Bibi’s Brain,” played a major role in shaping Israel’s wartime strategy in Gaza and negotiating key diplomatic moves.

In his resignation letter, Dermer said he had promised his family he would serve for only two years, but extended his tenure to help Netanyahu lead Israel through what he called a “critical” time following the October 7 Hamas attack. He said that the government would be defined both by the attack on October 7th and by the prosecution of the multifront war that followed.

His departure comes roughly a month after the last surviving hostages in Gaza were returned to Israel under a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The remains of most deceased captives have also been recovered.

Dermer was a central figure in negotiating the ceasefire with Hamas and securing U.S. support for Israel’s coordinated strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

His influence extended across Israel’s war strategy, from military operations to diplomatic outreach.

Supporters have praised Dermer as one of the main architects of Israel’s regional and ceasefire strategy. Critics, however, accuse him of helping Netanyahu prolong the war to protect his political standing.

The Gaza war has claimed more than 68,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health officials. It has caused large-scale destruction, famine, and displacement, while also drawing in Iran and its allies — including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and armed groups in Syria and the West Bank — turning the conflict into a wider regional confrontation.

In his letter, Dermer thanked Netanyahu for his trust and praised his leadership, writing that the prime minister had stood up to both internal and external pressures and had wisely guided Israel through the war—standing firm to protect the nation’s vital interests when necessary and showing flexibility when those interests required it.

Dermer, born in Miami Beach, Florida, moved to Israel after completing graduate school. He served as Israel’s ambassador to Washington from 2013 to 2021, working closely with both Democratic and Republican administrations. During that period, he built strong ties with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East adviser — a partnership that continued as they collaborated on recent ceasefire efforts.

He joined Netanyahu’s cabinet in 2022 as Minister of Strategic Affairs, overseeing Israel’s diplomatic engagement with the Biden and later Trump administrations, and managing key international partnerships.

Dermer has been part of Netanyahu’s inner circle since the early 2000s and was dubbed “Bibi’s Brain” by Tablet magazine for his deep influence on the prime minister’s political strategy.

He said he has not yet decided on his next steps. In a social media post, Netanyahu thanked him for his “tremendous help” to Israel and expressed confidence that Dermer “has much more to contribute in the future.”