Dr. Uzi Arad is returning to academic life after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman nixed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s bid to name him Ambassador to Britain. The post is empty following Ron Prosor's departure to become Israel’s new envoy to the United Nations.

The Foreign Minister and Prime Minister have been at odds for more than a year over the appointment of a new U.N. ambassador, as well as over other key foreign posts.

Dr. Arad had served as director of the National Security Council, a post he left earlier this month. Several years ago, Lieberman, a former top aide to Netanyahu, formed a new party to oppose Netanyahu, and he is considered to the left of the Prime Minister’s positions.

Netanyahu warmly praised Dr. Arad for his “contributions to national security,” and continues to try to negotiate with Lieberman to open the door for the ambassadorial post in London.

Dr. Arad was the founding Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy of the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya and Professor at its Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy. He was critical of the American invasion of Iraq and former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's expulsion of Jews and withdrawal of the IDF from Gush Katif.