Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said he has rejoined government efforts and is involved in negotiations with Lebanon, expressing optimism about reaching a potential peace agreement. Speaking in New York, he described the border dispute as limited, noting that only 13 points are contested and that more than half have already been resolved.

Dermer said he previously negotiated a ceasefire with Lebanon in November 2024 despite domestic criticism, arguing that Israel was managing multiple fronts at the time, including fighting in Gaza, tensions with Iran, and the issue of hostages. He stressed that any future agreement would require Hezbollah to be disarmed and would not allow a return to the security conditions that existed before October 7.

Addressing broader regional issues, Dermer said Israel and the United States are closely coordinating in their campaign against Iran, aiming to weaken its leadership and military capabilities. He rejected claims that Israel pushed the United States into conflict and said the objective is to prevent Iran from projecting power beyond its borders.

Dermer also predicted that Israel’s next parliament will prioritize security and called for a broad national unity government. Despite ongoing challenges, he said he remains optimistic about Israel’s future and urged Jewish communities to unite in confronting rising antisemitism.