Posted By  richards on January 1, 2013    
				
				  By Michael  Finch II, Amy Sherman and Elinor J. Brecher  The Miami Herald
    In Israel, hes already known as Bibis Brain: Prime    Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahus master strategist.  
    But Ron Dermer, 42-year-old Miami Beach native, now Israeli    citizen  the son of one Miami Beach mayor and brother of    another  could soon add an official title to his resume: Mr.    Ambassador.  
    Dermer is reportedly Netanyahus choice for Israeli ambassador    to the United States to replace Michael Oren, who plans to step    down in the spring after four years.  
    A political conservative with close ties to powerful American    Republicans, Dermer would become Israels top diplomat in the    United States, a position requiring the ability to represent    his countrys interests across U.S. party lines.  
    Netanyahus office hasnt commented on the reports. A spokesman    for the Israeli consulate in Miami could not confirm the    possible appointment, nor could Dermers older brother, former    Mayor David Dermer, who called any speculation premature. A    spokesman for the Israeli embassy in Washington told the Jewish    Telegraphic Agency that the rumor was baseless. In any case,    the Netanyahu government would have to survive a Parliamentary    election later this month.  
    An Oxford-educated scholar-athlete who holds degrees in finance    and management from the University of Pennsylvanias    prestigious Wharton School, and who quarterbacked Israels flag    football World Cup team three times, Dermer is known as smart,    polished, and so competitive that he wouldnt let a 3-year-old    beat him at Ping-Pong, friend Tom Rose, former Jerusalem Post    publisher, once said in an interview.  
    Dermer cannot abide anybody being better at him than anything,    particularly physically, Rose said.  
    The mere speculation that Dermer might be named seemed to    thrill South Florida politicians from both parties.  
    Its wonderful  one of our own being Israels ambassador to    the U.S., said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, who    knows Dermer. It is just terrific. He is American as apple pie    yet Israeli at heart as well. It is a good fit. He is very much    a proud Miami Beach guy  very proud of his hometown.  
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Possible future Israeli ambassador holds two countries in his heart
				
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