Ron Dermer may take up his new diplomatic position as Israel’s next ambassador to the United States later than planned due to a strike by Foreign Ministry employees.

Dermer, who was named to the position last week, was scheduled to take up his post next month. But Foreign Ministry workers are refusing to arrange his diplomatic passport, process his transfer to Washington or arrange for his departing airplane ticket, according to the Times of Israel.

Last month, the strike by the Foreign Ministry Workers’ Union caused a halt to consular services at Israeli embassies and consulates in the United States and around the world. The work stoppage has prevented the paperwork for families making aliyah this summer and threatened to prevent athletes from 14 countries from participating in the Maccabiah Games, which began July 18.

Dermer, who immigrated to Israel from Florida 15 years ago, will succeed Michael Oren, a New Jersey native. Oren announced on July 5 that he would be vacating his post in the fall. — jta