Israel’s new ambassador to Australia
The AJN understands his appointment has to be approved by both the Israeli and Australian governments before it is made official. He is expected to arrive in Canberra in early 2022.
THE Israeli Foreign Ministry has chosen Amir Maimon as Israel’s next ambassador to Australia.
The AJN understands his appointment has to be approved by both the Israeli and Australian governments before it is made official. He is expected to arrive in Canberra in early 2022.
Maimon most recently served as ambassador to Lithuania, the first accredited Israeli diplomat to hold that post. Before serving in Vilnius, he was director of the Northern European Department at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He has also served at the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC, in Ankara as well as in London and Canada.
Maimon joined the Foreign Ministry in 1989 after a 14-year military career in the paratroopers unit. He helped to coordinate Operation Solomon in 1991 which saw more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews airlifted to Israel in 36 hours.
Perth-based genealogist and WE ARE HERE! Foundation CEO Eli Rabinowitz, who met Maimon on a number of occasions in Lithuania, described the incoming ambassador as “focused, energetic, and bright”.
“He is engaging and always inclusive. He also has a fun personality, organising activities such as a fun cycle run and lunch for the whole Jewish community of Siauliai, which I was lucky to participate in,” Rabinowitz told The AJN.
“As the representative of the State of Israel, Maimon’s disposition is one of hope for the future.”
Australia has been without a permanent ambassador since Mark Sofer departed in August 2020. Two temporary envoys – Tibor Shalev-Schlosser and Jonathan Peled – have filled the role in the interim.
Israel’s former UN Ambassador Danny Danon was at one point rumoured to be in the running for the post.
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