The Biden administration outlined its Israeli-Palestinian policies in the UN Security Council on Tuesday, underlining the importance of re-establishing ties with the Palestinian Authority.
Driving the news: Under the new policy, the US will resume aid to the Palestinians and reopen the PLO office in Washington and the consulate in Jerusalem.
- The Biden government will oppose annexation, settlement building and the demolition of Palestinian homes by Israel, and incitement and payments to terrorists by the Palestinians.
One of the key players in drafting that policy Hady Amr, will also play a key role in its execution as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State Department for Israel-Palestine. Amr is well respected by Palestinian officials, who see him as a well-balanced actor.
- Amr’s job in the State Department is his fifth post in the executive branch. Previously, he served in the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.
- Under Obama, Amr was deputy special envoy for the economy and Gaza, in conjunction with the special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, Martin Indyk.
- One of Amr’s teammates from the period was Julie Sawyer, the new Israel-Palestine director in Biden’s National Security Council.
What to watch: The Biden government does not intend to appoint a special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
- The issue will largely be handled by the State Department, meaning Amr could have significant influence.
- It remains to be seen who will be elected as Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs and as Ambassador to Israel.