In January 2015 the Israeli Civil Service Commission censured Dermer for taking part in political campaigning for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in violation of Civil Service rules. The U. S. Administration took the unusual step of sharply criticizing the ambassador, after he played a key role in having Benjamin Netanyahu invited, without White House knowledge, to address Congress on Iran, in what the Administration regards as a breach of protocol. A spokesman said that the ambassador repeatedly put Netanyahu’s political interests before those of the relationship between Israel and the United States. In December 2015 Dermer received press coverage for his "politically charged" choice of holiday gifts sent from the Israeli Embassy, which he publicized as coming from the West Bank and the Golan Heights.