Sallai Meridor, Israel's ambassador to the United States, has announced that he plans to step down from his position. He personally informed Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of his decision earlier this week.
Meridor explained that he was stepping down in order to allow a new candidate to take the job. “In light of the sensitivity and importance of this position, as ambassador to this important country, our greatest ally, it is fitting and appropriate that the new government should have the opportunity to select a man or woman it trusts in,” he said.
Meridor thanked the current government, Olmert and Livni “for granting me the opportunity to serve the country on a central, positive front during a sensitive and challenging time.” He wished Netanyahu success.
Olmert selected Meridor as ambassador to the U.S. in 2006. He has served in the position for two and a half years. Before that he was chairman of the board of the Jewish Agency.
Meridor's elder brother, Dan Meridor, is an MK-designate on the Likud list.