According to Israeli reports both from the Haaretz newspaper and Channel 14 News, the Biden administration is considering not appointing a permanent American ambassador to Israel but instead, defer the decision until after the presidential elections that will be held in November of 2024. The administration is thinking of promoting the current deputy ambassador, Stephanie Hallett, who will become acting ambassador as a temporary appointment.
A temporary appointment does not require the approval of the Senate in the US, unlike a permanent appointment. The Biden administration fears that due to the upcoming elections, the Republicans in the Senate will create difficulties on the appointment and will try to use the hearing that will be held for the candidate or candidate for the position to attack the policies of President Biden in the Middle East.
Biden Considering Anti-Israel Activist Susie Gelman for Ambassador to Israel | Frontpage Mag https://t.co/ui5oHzCpbk
— GeneCol19204593 (@col19204597804) May 17, 2023
In contrast to the fear of a long and complicated permanent appointment process in the Senate, there are also considerations in favor of appointing a permanent ambassador to Israel. The desire to promote a breakthrough in Israel-Saudi relations, the need for regular coordination with Israel on the Iranian issue, and the fear of a crisis in the Palestinian arena. The US ambassador to Israel is one of the most sensitive and complex positions within the US State Department.
About a week ago, the US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, informed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken of his desire to leave the position at the end of this summer. According to Nides, the decision is only due to personal and family considerations, however, the ambassador's departure does come against the background of the differences of opinion he had with the members of the current government regarding a variety of issues.
Biden administration braces for potential ‘shitshow’ naming new U.S. ambassador to Israel https://t.co/fJc51qmMTI
— Mary Jane (@MaryWebb7) May 16, 2023
A number of Israeli politicians reacted to Nides' comments regarding the judicial reform that the government wanted to pass in the Knesset. Nides even publicly confronted several government ministers, including Minister Amichai Chikli.
Looks like a perfect trifecta: satisfies Congress concerned Biden was slow-rolling Abraham Accords; very professional pro-Israel and AA appointment; and may defuse some of pressure to appoint an Ambassador to Israel quickly. https://t.co/yKLCNpUsY1
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) May 15, 2023
According to the Haaretz report, among pro-Israel organizations in Washington there are those who fear that if the senior position remains in the hands of an acting ambassador and not a Senate-approved candidate, this will reflect a decline in the state of relations between Israel and the US. The last three ambassadors who served In Israel Nides, David Friedman and Dan Shapiro, were all trusted by the presidents who appointed them, Biden, Trump, and Obama and enjoyed a direct line of communication to the White House, which helped them in their regular contacts with the decision-makers in Israel.
