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Lapid considering replacing UK ambassador Hotovely

A change may be 'legally impossible', however

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Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on January 11, 2017. / AFP / MENAHEM KAHANA (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.K. could be getting a new Israeli ambassador after the recent change in government, according to Haaretz.

Yair Lapid is considering replacing the current envoy, Tzipi Hotovely, with Yael German, a member of his centrist Yesh Atid party, sources close to the new foreign minister told the outlet on Friday.

But a decision has not been made, according to the report, and foreign ministry sources told Haaretz the change may be “legally impossible" and could breach her contract.

Ms Hotovely succeeded Mark Regev last summer for a three-year term and has faced criticism from some in the community over past comments about Palestinians. 

She told BBC2’s Newsnight earlier this year she met all denominations of British Jewry and the groups had been “really welcoming.”

Mr Lapid helped oust Hotovely’s Likud Party from power earlier this month when he teamed up with right-wing politician Naftali Bennett to form a coalition and unseat longtime prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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