US Ambassador to 'Israel' to resign, citing 'personal reasons': Axios
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Nides informs US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan of his plans to step down.
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US Ambassador to the Israeli occupation Thomas Nides attends a ceremony in occupied Al-Quds, on December 5, 2021 (Reuters)
US Ambassador to the Israeli occupation Tom Nides has informed US President Joe Biden's administration that he will be resigning for "personal reasons" this summer, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing US officials.
During a working visit to Washington last week, Nides informed Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan of his plans to step down, the report indicated.
It said that Nides is expected to be replaced by his current deputy chief of mission Stephanie Hallett, a veteran Department of State diplomat with extensive experience in Middle East countries.
In recent months, the US ambassador conveyed tough messages from Washington to Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about his government's judicial overhaul plans that would undermine the Israeli Supreme Court's powers, the report said.
On March 4, Nides attacked the occupation's fanatic Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in response to the latter's statements on Israeli outlets, in which he urged the obliteration of a Palestinian city.
"I am really angry with him, he is stupid," said Nides, according to "Israel" Hayom, who only reported on this matter in Hebrew. Nides then added that Smotrich "has a flight to Washington," adding that "if I could I would throw him off the plane."
Nides was close to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and served as her deputy secretary of state for management and resources during the first Obama administration.
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