Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., April 19, 2009 Nisan 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:59 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Shoval, Gold, Pinkas vying to be U.S. envoy? By Barak Ravid? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a decision this week on who will be the new Israeli ambassador to Washington, according to a source in the Prime Minister?s Bureau. At present there are at least three leading candidates: Zalman Shoval, Dore Gold and Alon Pinkas.? Netanyahu has still not made a final decision, and will consult on the matter with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on who the replacement of Ambassador Salai Meridor will be in Washington.? Advertisement The post of Ambassador to Washington is considered to be a position of trust for the prime minister, but it should also have the backing of the Foreign Minister, the minister to whom the ambassador is directly answerable to.? One of the surprising candidates is former Likud MK Zalman Shoval, 79, who served twice before as ambassador to the United States. Shoval is very close to Netanyahu and participates in his political meeting. His first term as ambassador came after he resigned from the Knesset in 1990, and lasted until 1993. The second appointment was in 1998, and lasted until 2000, when he was replaced by David Ivri.? Another candidate close to Netanyahu is Dr. Dore Gold, who also participates in his political meetings. Gold served as Israel?s ambassador to the United Nations from 1997 to 1999, and before that was an adviser to Netanyahu. Gold appears to enjoy significant support from leading Jewish leaders in the U.S., but he is also perceived as a hawkish figure which may make it difficult for him to work closely with the current U.S. administration.? Another candidates is Alon Pinkas, who served as Consul General in New York from 2000 to 2004, and before that was diplomatic adviser to foreign ministers Shlomo Ben-Ami and David Levy. Pinkas was a Labor candidate for the Knesset in the past, but during the last elections expressed his support to Netanyahu and advised him on his meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton six weeks ago. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hebrew harmony Watch American Idol star Adam Lambert singing in Hebrew Top recipes exposed Try the cheap way to eat in some of Tel Aviv's top restaurants

Read & React Netanyahu demands Palestinians recognize 'Jewish state' Responses: 340 Obama wants Israel to hold parallel talks with Palestinians and Syria Responses: 151 'Israel could have made peace with Hamas under Yassin' Responses: 90 Yossi Melman: I would advise Netanyahu to attack Iran Responses: 118 Hamas: We will never recognize the enemy in any way Responses: 109 More Headlines 03:44 U.S.: Palestinians need not recognize Israel as Jewish state before talks 03:51 What would be the timetable for Israel strike on Iran? 00:27 U.S. to boycott Durban II anti-racism meet 17:30 Report: Hezbollah cell in Egypt planned to recruit Israeli Arabs 17:34 ANALYSIS / Hezbollah and Iran have become Egyptian targets 18:11 Mitchell in Cairo: Egypt vital to achieving Mideast peace 21:36 Natan Sharansky named Netanyahu's pick for Jewish Agency head 22:31 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 22:02 'No reason to meet pathological Holocaust denier' 21:09 Egypt state daily: Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah tried to overthrow Mubarak 22:31 'IDF eyes attack on Iran within hours of green light' 23:06 Hundreds protest in Tel Aviv over killing of Palestinian in Bil'in 19:31 Egypt uncovers 5 smuggling tunnels near Gaza border 22:32 Hamas praises driver who hit 2 Israeli policemen in West Bank 20:05 New Holocaust museum to open in Skokie, Illinois 18:22 10,000 Orthodox Christians celebrate holy fire ritual in Jerusalem Previous Editions Select Day 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 12 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 05 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ The Meier on Rothschild Tower Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved