The appointment by the Israeli government of Dani Dayan, a former head of the West Bank settlements Council, as new ambassador to Brazil is objected by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Roussef has relayed messages to Israel expressing reservations regarding the appointment of Dani Dayan because of his ties to the settlements.

Dayan, who came in Israel as an immigrant from Argentina, was formerly head and spokesperson f the Yesha Council and lives in Ma'ale Shomron in the West Bank. A successful businessman, he is familiar with Latin American issues.

If Dayan’s appointment is canceled, it would be the first time an Israeli ambassadorial appointment has been scuttled over the settlement issue.

But Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon is said to have spoken to his Brazilian counterpart underscoring the importance Israel attaches to the appointment. Ya'alon told Brazilian Defense Minister Jaques Wagner: "Dani Dayan, a worthy man who is respected across the political spectrum, is the personal choice of the prime minister, which reflects the importance that the prime minister attributes to a country such as Brazil."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog from the Zionist Union party as well as Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid also backed Dayan's appointment. The two met with the Brazilian ambassador to Israel to express their support, following opposition expressed by left-wing Israeli activists, among them three ex-Foreign Ministry officials.

Former Foreign Ministry Director General Alon Liel, former Ambassador to South Africa Ilan Baruch, and former Ambassador to France Elie Barnavi reportedly contacted the Brazilian government directly, asking that it reject Dayan as ambassador.

Israel sees relations with Brazil as an important strategic goal. It is the largest country in South America, with a population of 200 million, and it has the seventh largest economy in the world. Israel has made a point of developing trade relations with the international markets in Latin America, particularly with Brazil.