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August 13, 2004/Av 26 5763, Vol. 55, No. 47
Mekel appointed consul
RACHEL POMERANCE
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
NEW YORK - A seasoned diplomat who cut his teeth in journalism will soon take over one of Israel's most prominent public relations jobs in America.
Starting next week, Arye Mekel, Israel's deputy perma-nent representative to the United Nations, will become consul general in New York.
He succeeds Alon Pinkas, a telegenic and arti-culate spokesman, whose three-year ten-ure ended in July.
Considered among the Foreign Ministry's most desirable assign-ments, the New York position also is one of its most taxing: The consul must interface with the financial, media and political power brokers of the world, along with the largest Jewish community outside Israel. Nearly all the major American Jewish organizations are headquartered in New York.
Mekel, who is well-liked, well-informed and known for his media savvy, spent seven years as the Atlanta-based consul for six southern states and held several other diplomatic postings before becoming Israel's deputy at the United Nations.
Many say his new assign-ment is a natural fit.
"In many ways, it's an obvious and welcome choice," said David.
Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Commi-ttee, said, "It's going to be a rela-tively smooth and seamless transition both because he knows New York and he knows the American Jewish commu-nity very well."
The posting, which covers New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, comes as Israel struggles to bolster its image in the media, among decision makers, in Jewish communi-ties and the general public and on campus amid the ongoing intifada.
It also comes as Israel prepares to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and is counting on American public support for the effort. The impending with-drawal likely will figure prominently on Mekel's agenda.
Pinkas came on board at the start of the intifada, and served when the terrorist war reached its peak in early 2002. The attacks have been curbed in the past year by Israel's West Bank security barrier, Mekel said.
Mekel, who has spent nearly 40 years in Israeli public life, began his career as a journalist for the Voice of Israel, Israel's state radio station, at age 19.
With degrees in political science and English language and a masters in mass com-munication, Mekel's career often has straddled the spheres of media and diplomacy.
He has been an adjunct professor of Judaic studies at the University of Cincinnati, foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, director general of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and special adviser to the deputy foreign minister for combating anti-Semitism.
For Mekel, there's a common thread in the positions.
"Whether we work with the consulate or in the U.N., basically we do the same thing: Our mandate and our calling is to serve the Jewish state and the Jewish people," he said.
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