On July 20,
2008, the Israeli government
approved the appointment of
Professor Gabriela Shalev as
Israel’s new Ambassador to the
United Nations. “I found it
important to name a woman who will
become Israel’s face in such an
important place. Her exceptional
knowledge will allow Professor
Shalev to confront the challenges
facing Israel,” Foreign Minister
Tzipi
Livni was quoted as saying at the
July 20 cabinet meeting. Despite
often uneasy relations with the
United Nations, Israel has in recent
years sought the support of the
international body, especially the
Security Council, in efforts to halt
Iran’s controversial nuclear
program.
Shalev, 67, is to replace current UN
Ambassador Dan Gillerman, whose
five-year term will end in a few
weeks. She will be the first Israeli
woman envoy to the UN. Livni praised
Gillerman’s work at the world body,
saying “his skills allowed him to
cope well with the challenges he
faced during his tenure, including
the Second Lebanon War, Hamas’
takeover of Gaza and the issue of
Iran.”
As for Professor Shalev, the Foreign
Minister said she was an
“internationally respected woman who
served in various public posts. I am
confident in her ability to
represent Israel.” Shalev, who is
serving as the Rector of the Ono
Academic College, is a senior
professor of law at The Hebrew
University in Jerusalem, and is
considered a world renowned expert
on contracts law. She has also
served as chairman of the Israel
Broadcasting Authority, as a member
of the Jewish Agency’s Board of
Trustees and a member of the
committee for formulating ethics of
cabinet members.