Blinken hints at plans to nominate new ambassador to Israel

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers his remarks at the State Department in Washington, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers his remarks at the State Department in Washington, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken appears to hint at the Biden administration’s plans to nominate a new ambassador to Israel before the 2024 presidential election.

During a press conference yesterday, Blinken called out Senate Republicans for blocking the confirmation of Biden’s nominees and said that “by the end of the summer, we expect Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon will all be without confirmed US ambassadors.”

Highlighting the vacancy in Israel in this context would be difficult to explain if the administration is not planning on filling the spot.

Blinken is asked whether Biden planned to do just that but he says he has nothing to announce at the moment.

US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides formally steps down from his position later this week.

Deputy ambassador Stephanie Hallet will take over as interim charge d’affaires.

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