The prominent Israeli-American columnist Caroline B. Glick is among the candidates being considered for the high-profile position of consul general in New York.
The move comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to appoint Likud lawmaker May Golan to the posting, following criticism from left-wing American Jewish leaders and the State Department over her past remarks.
Glick, who worked with Netanyahu a quarter century ago before becoming a widely-read columnist, including for JNS, has been critical of the Biden administration’s policies vis-à-vis Israel.
Another leading candidate reportedly under consideration is Davidi Hermelin, the president of the International Centre for Public Diplomacy, Israel. Hermelin’s candidacy might be more palatable to Biden administration officials and liberal American Jewish community leaders, both because of his views and the fact that he is gay, according to Israel’s Channel 14.
The consul general in New York is considered Israel’s third-most senior diplomatic position in the United States after the ambassadors to Washington and the United Nations.
The position may stay vacant for some time due to political exigencies that would not be addressed by the appointment of either candidate.
Netanyahu had originally intended to task Golan, who currently serves as a minister without portfolio, for the position. That would have enabled him to appoint member of Knesset Danny Danon, a former ambassador to the U.N., to a ministerial position, freeing up a spot in the legislature for a Druze representative, Abed Afif, No. 44 on the Likud candidates list.
