Joe Biden’s nomination of Thomas Nides to become the next ambassador to Israel has sparked controversy within the international community and comes with more than a few strings attached.
Nides, who is a self-described “lover of Israel”, is a former president of the American helli Corporation, a company dedicated to providing military assistance to the Israeli Defense Forces. Despite his impressive background, Nides has come under fire for his involvement in a series of controversial real estate deals as well as heavy investments in Israeli weapons companies. Critics point to his potential conflicts of interests should he be appointed as ambassador to Israel, while supporters insist that it makes him the perfect fit for the job.
Despite his controversial record, Nides is a widely respected figure throughout the US political class. He was formerly the Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources under the Obama-Biden administration and serves on the president-elect’s transition team. This is seen as a sign that the Biden administration is likely to pursue a more pro-Israel stance, which could endanger prospects of a two-state solution.
It is worth noting that the ambassador post has recently been occupied by a host of former military generals and corporate magnates who, though highly qualified, did not necessarily have a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the situation on the ground in Israel. This is concerning, as ambassador is a diplomatic post; it requires complex diplomacy to navigate the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It remains unclear what Nides’ position would be on a two-state solution and his close ties to the Israeli military establishment certainly raises questions about his impartiality. The nomination has also been heavily criticised for its failure to include public consultation, which is a step usually taken when appointing a senior diplomat.
Ultimately, Biden’s decision to nominate Nides as ambassador to Israel has been met with considerable scepticism by Middle Eastern political observers. It is worrying that an individual with such immense financial ties to Israel could become the head diplomatic figure between the US and Israel. Only time will tell whether Nides can use his connections to the Israeli government to facilitate the elusive two-state solution or whether his appointment may only exacerbate a volatile situation.
