Former Israeli government minister Dan Meridor named new head of Israel Council on Foreign Relations

Veteran Israeli statesman Dan Meridor has been appointed as the new president of the Israel Council on Foreign Relations (ICFR), a foreign affairs think-tank which operates under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress (WJC). Meridor will succeed former Israeli ambassador Avi Primor.

Meridor was born in Jerusalem in 1947. He served in successive Israeli governments, notably as deputy prime minister, minister of intelligence and atomic energy, minister of justice, minister of finance and cabinet secretary. Dan Meridor was a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, from 1984 to 2003 and from 2009 to 2013 and he also served as chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee from 1999 to 2001.

Accepting the position of ICFR president, Meridor said: “In a rapidly changing world, Israel's foreign relations are of growing importance. I hope to contribute to the activity of the Council, which serves as a forum for high-level discussion and deliberation of these issues.”

Ambassador Avi Primor, ICFR president since the passing of ICFR founder David Kimche in 2010, said of Meridor: "I am glad about the choice of Dan Meridor. He is a particularly worthy person and I know he will make a great contribution to the work of the Council." Primor will remain with the Council as president emeritus.

Commenting on the transition, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder declared: "We know that Dan Meridor will bring to this position his eloquence, wisdom, leadership and love of Israel — and in so doing, will further enhance the strong reputation of this important component of the World Jewish Congress. We are grateful to Ambassador Primor for his dynamic leadership of the Council over the past four years."

WJC CEO Robert Singer added: "I am pleased that the ICFR is enhancing its cooperation with similar institutions in other countries, and I am sure Dan Meridor will be able to use his contacts and good name to further advance this objective, which gains new urgency given the international attempts to isolate Israel."