Wanted: Ambassador to Cairo
Foreign ministry despairs of finding suitable candidate from within Foreign Service to fill complex position of Israel's ambassador to Egypt, may offer job to Arab affairs journalist and commentator Ehud Ya'ari
Ambassador Shalom Cohen's term ends this coming summer and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is having a difficult time finding a replacement for him. Sources say that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has stipulated that candidates must have existing personal relationships with the Egyptian leadership and officials as well as a charismatic personality. These qualities, Livni hopes, will thaw the 'cold peace,'
Livni has recently gone on record as saying she considers the Cairo diplomatic mission just as important as Israel's missions to Paris, London and Moscow.
Sources said that Livni will not be deterred from searching outside Israel's diplomatic corps should no one be deemed a suitable replacement. The leading candidate for now seems to be Channel 2's Arab affairs commentator Ehud Ya'ari. Ya'ari, a well-respected and prominent journalist has conducted numerous interviews with key Arab figures over the years, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the late President Anwar Saadat.
The Foreign Ministry believes his experience and reputation will help advance the embassy's causes and warm relations with Israel's southern neighbor.
Another potential candidate named by ministry officials is Dr. Guy Bechor, a lecturer on Arab law at the Middle East Politics School of Government, part of the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.
