Michael Oren Steps Down After 4 Years as Israel’s Ambassador
Ending weeks of speculation, Israel’s ambassador to the United States Michael Oren announced Friday he will step down this fall.
In a statement, Oren said he would conclude his term after more than four years as Israel’s ambassador to Washington.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the State of Israel and its Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to the United States, President Barack Obama, the Congress, and the American people,” Oren said in the statement, adding that “Israel and the United States have always enjoyed a special relationship and, throughout these years of challenge, I was privileged to take part in forging even firmer bonds.”
A replacement for Oren has yet to be announced. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who according to Israeli political tradition personally appoints the ambassador to Washington, is still considering his choice for the post. Netanyahu’s former adviser Ron Dermer is a front runner for the position, although Israeli media has reported that Netanyahu may prefer to give the coveted job to one of the senior members of his Likud party.
Oren, a political appointee, is an American-born historian who moved to Israel as a young adult. Prior to serving as ambassador he was a researcher at the conservative-leaning Shalem Center in Jerusalem and is the author of a best selling book about Israel’s 1967 war.
Oren’s term in Washington corresponded with President Obama’s first term in office and as such he spent much of his work trying to maintain good working relations between Washington and Jerusalem despite apparent tensions between Obama and Netanyahu.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO