New Envoy’s Plate Is Already Full  

While the administration has hitherto avoided picking up this hot potato for fear of toppling Israel’s coalition, the situation is different now that the budget has passed. The government is now safe. And the administration, which has already expressed blunt disapproval of building in the settlements and the labeling of six Palestinian NGOs as terror groups, is expected to get off the fence and deliver an opinion. It’s far from clear that Jerusalem will like what it hears from Washington, and it will be up to Nides to deliver the unwelcome message. Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to the US, worked with Nides during the latter’s time as deputy secretary of state under Hilary Clinton. He tells Mishpacha that Nides will be an excellent ambassador, although the sides won’t always agree about everything.

“Tom Nides is a superb and seasoned diplomat, a person of great warmth and intelligence, and a mensch,” said Oren. “Though we may have policy differences with the administration, Ambassador Nides is the best person for bridging them.”

Another important issue for Israelis is the proposed visa exemption by the United States. The subject has been speeded up in recent weeks, and it’s fair to assume that when Nides puts on the pressure for the opening of a consulate, he’ll find himself pressured in turn to hurry up the visa exemption. It’s very possible that the two measures will end up happening at about the same time.

But most important by far is the Iranian issue. So far the communication between Washington and Jerusalem on this subject has been managed by Israel’s National Security Council head Eyal Hulata and his American counterpart, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Starting this week, Nides will join the diplomatic team, to be followed in short order by Michael Herzog, his Israeli counterpart, who’s expected to assume his position in the coming days.