Jewish state appoints Christian envoy to Muslim country
George Deek, a highly acclaimed diplomat, is currently a senior advisor to Director-General Yuval Rotem.
George Deek, appointed Thursday as Israel's first Christian-Arab ambassador. He will serve in Azerbaijan(photo credit: FOREIGN MINISTRY)ByHERB KEINONUpdated: The Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of George Deek as Israel’s next Ambassador to Azerbaijan on Thursday, making him Israel’s first ever Christian Arab ambassador.Deek, a highly acclaimed diplomat, is currently a senior adviser to Director-General Yuval Rotem.Deek joined the ministry in 2008, and served as deputy head of mission at Israel’s embassy in Norway from 2012 to 2015, and as deputy chief of mission at the embassy in Nigeria from 2009-2012.“We are proud of his appointment, which perfectly symbolizes the integration of Israelis from different backgrounds in the representation of the state,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon.Azerbaijan, a Muslim-majority country, is extremely important for Israel, as it sits on Iran’s border and supplies some 40% of Israel’s oil. It also is one of Israel’s largest arms markets.Deek is not Israel’s first Arab ambassador – that distinction went to Ali Yahya, who was appointed Ambassador to Finland in 1995, and also served as Israel’s envoy to Greece.The ministry also announced that Ron Adam will be the ambassador at Israel’s recently opened embassy in Rwanda, considered among Israel’s strongest friends in Africa.Other appointees approved by the ministry’s senior appointments committee include Galit Ronen to Argentina; Leo Vinovezky, Cote d’Ivoire; Christian Cantor, Colombia; Ze’ev Harel, Ecuador; and Noah Gal Gendler, Albania.In addition, the ministry named Dan Haezrachi as consul-general in Guangzhou, a Chinese port city northwest of Hong Kong; and Anat Sultan-Dadon as consul-general in Atlanta. In addition, Omer Caspi was named Israel’s economic and cultural representative in Taiwan.These appointments will now come to the cabinet for final approval.RECOMMENDED STORIESHow is Iran still launching missiles at Israel despite Israeli airstrikes?JUNE 16, 2025IDF pummels Tehran with heavy fire, 50 Israeli fighter jets take part in attacksJUNE 15, 2025A volcano ready to blow: Middle East erupts with Israeli strikes on IranJUNE 15, 2025Starlink operating in Iran, Elon Musk says, as Islamic regime shuts internet downJUNE 14, 2025Hot OpinionNow is the time for a unity government to provide clarity within the chaosByJPOST EDITORIALAs Iran vows our destruction, Israel unitesByYAIR LAPIDFive takeaways from the bomb shelter: Reflections on the Israel-Iran WarByDAVID BRINNIsrael strikes Iran: Strategic success or start of an uncertain future?BySUSAN HATTIS ROLEF