Australia Names New Ambassador To Israel

By JTA April 12, 2017

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Career diplomat Chris Cannan was named the new Australian ambassador to Israel.

The Australian Foreign Ministry announced the appointment Wednesday. Cannan will in the coming months replace Dave Sharma, who is considered one of the most pro-Israel foreign ambassadors in Jerusalem.

Sharma, who will officially complete his nearly four-year tenure in mid-June, asked on Twitter Wednesday that his successor be welcomed.

Folks, my time in Israel comes to an end soon. From mid-June, Chris Cannan takes over as ambassador. Please make him feel welcome! https://t.co/kzWnwSM8dY

— Dave Sharma

Cannan, a senior career diplomat in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most recently served as assistant secretary of the Global Development Branch. He previously served overseas in Vienna and Manila and with the Peace Monitoring Group.

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