Israeli leaders welcomed President-elect Barack Obama's selection of Senator Hillary Clinton to be United States Secretary of State on Monday. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the former First Lady "a friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and I'm sure than in her important role, she will continue to forward the special relations between the two countries."

In a telegram to the Secretary-desginate, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik wrote, "I'm sure it is within your power to bring the countries to a path of peace and prosperity." In a telephone call to Clinton's office, Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation of her experience and committment to Israel's security and forwarding of the peace process, and said that if he is elected prime minister, he will cooperate fully with her.