Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich selects civil service veteran, subject to government approval

Felus, 55, was selected unanimously among 13 candidates by a committee after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly sought to appoint a confidant to head the organization

Committee members questioned former Labor leader due to lack of experience, ties to defense minister, but ministers ignore their position; Labor, Meretz ministers abstain

Ronen Hoffman, currently university lecturer, tapped for Ottawa post empty since January 2020; minister working on filling Paris and Canberra spots too

Key diplomatic positions were left unfilled by last government, some for over a year

PM said to refuse to name career diplomat in favor of political appointee, likely leaving position vacant until new government formed