President Biden Joe BidenAmerican held in Russia contracts COVID-19 after denied vaccine Biden defends waiving sanctions against Nord Stream Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE will appoint former State Department senior official Tom Nides to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, The Associated Press reports. An unidentified source told the AP that vetting is underway, though the timing of the announcement is not clear. Biden to Name Tom Nides Ambassador to Israel: AP Source https://t.co/Luy3adz3K4 pic.twitter.com/WBSIdt5U4S — NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) May 25, 2021The AP notes that filling the position of U.S. ambassador to Israel has become a high priority ever since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began earlier this month. Israelis have complained that Biden has been slow in appointing an envoy and in reaching out to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE. Officials told the AP that diplomatic efforts with Israel were complicated by the country's own chaotic politics as it prepared for a fourth round of elections in March.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 26, 2021 12:47 UTC