US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides will leave his post this summer
Nides’ announcement comes as relations between Jerusalem and Washington have seen better days
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides announced he will leave his post this summer after nearly two years in the role, Axios reported on Tuesday.
A U.S. embassy spokesperson later confirmed that Nides will depart his position, confirming: “Yes, it’s true that Ambassador Nides met with his senior staff this morning to inform them of his intent to step down this summer.”
According to reports, Nides cited personal reasons for his decision. When asked why he is choosing to leave, the United States ambassador told the Jerusalem Post: "My family misses me."
“Tom has worked with characteristic energy and skill to further strengthen the special bond between the United States and Israel, and to advance U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security interests,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Axios in response to Nides’ announcement.
Nides’ upcoming resignation comes as relations between Jerusalem and Washington have seen better days. U.S. President Joe Biden still hasn’t invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House after more than four months since taking office. The Biden administration has been critical of Netanyahu’s government push to overhaul Israel’s justice system via a controversial reform which has divided Israeli society in recent months.
Throughout his tenure in Jerusalem, Ambassador Nides has worked vis-à-vis three Israeli prime ministers: Netanyahu and two interim premiers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.
In November, Nides sat down for an interview with ALL ISRAEL NEWS Editor-in-Chief Joel Rosenberg on his program THE ROSENBERG REPORT on TBN. In their wide-ranging conversation, Nides defended the Biden administration’s diplomatic approach of dealing with the Iran threat.
Tal Heinrich is a senior correspondent for both ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS. She is currently based in New York City. Tal also provides reports and analysis for Israeli Hebrew media Channel 14 News.
