Israel withdraws then reinstates settler's nomination as diplomat to Brazil

Israel apparently withdrew and then reinstated a controversial settlement leader as its nomination to be ambassador to Brazil, muddying an eight-month stalemate with Brasilia over his suitability.

Israel's foreign ministry on Thursday told the AFP news agency it had re-advertised the ambassador's job after eight months of silence from Brazil about Danny Dayan, who was nominated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last August. 

"The foreign ministry human resources department has published today a tender which is addressed to the Israeli diplomats here at the foreign ministry, for the position of ambassador in Brasilia," foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon told AFP.

But within an hour, the ministry said the advertisment was an "unfortunate bureaucratic mistake" and that "Danny Dayan is still Israel's appointed ambassador".

Ambassadorial appointments must be endorsed by the host nation. However, if no endorsement is forthcoming within two months, it is understood that the choice has not been accepted. 

Dayan, who was born in Argentina and moved to Israel aged 15 in 1971, was the country's preferred choice.

Brazil's government reportedly objected to Dayan because of his opposition to a Palestinian state and because Israel failed to consult it over its choice.

Dayan headed the Yesha Council of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank between 2007 and 2013.

Brazil recognised the Palestinian state in 2010.

Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law and are seen as major stumbling blocks to peace efforts.