Former American Ambassador to Israel Dr. Martin Indyk has been tapped by the US administration to head the information dissemination effort – to act as the go-between from the US, Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) should negotiations resume.

Indyk, viewed as being close to former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was a strong supporter of the Oslo process during his service as the US ambassador as he is among the fans of Israeli concessions and advancing the diplomatic process to bang out an agreement with the PA.

A friend of the left-wing camp and the likes of former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, Indyk’s involvement in talks will only add to the pressure against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and right-wing cabinet measures that will attempt to resist the US’ agenda. At present, neither Israel nor the PA have approved or confirmed Indyk’s role in upcoming negotiations.

The 62-year-old former ambassador, who is Jewish, was born in London and grew up in Australia. After completing his doctorate in international relations, he began his political career in the US working with AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee). He served as US Ambassador from April 1995 to September 1997 and then again from January 2000 to July 2001. During the years 1993-1995, he served as a special advisor on Mideast affairs to President Bill Clinton and from 1997-2000 he was an undersecretary of state for Mideast affairs.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)