Martin Indyk, the Clinton administration’s point man on Middle East issues and a former American Israel Public Affairs Committee official, will be tapped as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, according to White House and American Jewish sources.
Indyk, who currently serves as National Security Council adviser on the Middle East, would become the first Jewish ambassador to Israel.
He would replace Ambassador Edward Djerejian, who recently left the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, after serving only seven months in the post, to head a public policy institute at Rice University in Texas.
Known as a staunch supporter of Israel, Indyk served as the founding executive director of the influential Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
He has served on the administration’s team for the Middle East peace talks and is, perhaps, best known for his strategy for containing Iran and Iraq through strong U.S. policy against each nation.
The Australian-born Indyk became a U.S. citizen just before he was appointed at the outset of the Clinton administration. White House officials began contacting Jewish organizations last weekend to inform them of the decision to nominate Indyk, according to sources.
Around the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher told Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of the forthcoming nomination at their first meeting on Saturday during the secretary’s trip to the Middle East.
Christopher refused to confirm the news, instead deferring to the White House so as not to pre-empt any White House announcements.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Christopher said that Indyk “is very highly regarded” by both himself and the president.
AIPAC President Steve Grossman praised Indyk, who worked as a consultant for the pro-Israel lobby for about a nine-month stint in the mid-1980s.
“Martin’s encyclopedic knowledge of the region, his credibility at the highest level of government and his unwavering commitment to a strong and secure U.S.-Israel relationship make him the perfect choice for this position,” Grossman said.
Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations also praised Indyk, saying, “This is a very positive statement and an acknowledgement of his role and talents.”
Although many Jewish leaders are praising the expected nomination, Indyk’s loss at the White House comes at a critical time for Israeli interests and Middle East peace.
No candidates for Indyk’s replacement in the administration have been named.
Even if the White House acts soon, Indyk is not expected to assume the post until after Senate confirmation hearings in the fall.
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