OTTAWA — Israel’s ambassador to Canada says he intends to leave his post early after a change in government back at home. 

Ronen Hoffman said on Twitter late Saturday that he is making the move due to the “different policy” Israel’s new government is pursuing.

Hoffman said his personal and professional integrity compelled him to make the decision to shorten his post and return to Israel this summer.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government is considered the most right-wing in Israeli history and critics have argued that a plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system would imperil democracy.

Some 100,000 demonstrators marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest the move.

Hoffman was appointed to his post in Ottawa just over a year ago and says he will continue to serve in the role until a replacement is appointed later this year. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2023.

— With files from The Associated Press.

The Canadian Press