Amb. Michael Herzog Rejoins Washington Institute as the Tisch Distinguished Fellow

Former Institute Expert was Key Liaison to U.S in Tense Period after Oct. 7 Terrorist Assault

WASHINGTON, DC - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is pleased to announce that Ambassador Michael Herzog is rejoining the research organization as its Israel-based Tisch Distinguished Fellow.

Michael Herzog served as Israel’s Ambassador to the United States from 2021-2025, during which he played a critical role in ensuring U.S. support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack and the subsequent war in Gaza and military confrontations with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with Iran. He had previously served as the Institute’s longtime International Fellow and wrote extensively on the issues at the heart of U.S.-Israel relations, from the Arab-Israel peace process to Israel’s military preparedness to the challenge of a nuclear Iran.

“Mike Herzog is a scholar-statesman-warrior who brought his deep analytical skills and policymaking expertise to bear at a moment when his country – and the U.S.-Israel relationship – needed it most, the weeks and months following the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history,” said Institute Segal Executive Director Dr. Robert Satloff, the Howard P. Berkowitz Chair in U.S. Middle East Policy. “We are thrilled that he is returning to the Institute where he will continue to provide cutting-edge analysis for the policy community enriched by his experience as his nation’s ambassador to the United States.”

The Tisch Distinguished Fellowship is named in recognition of James and Merryl H. Tisch, longtime supporters of the Institute.

A retired brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Amb. Herzog held senior positions as chief of staff or military aide to four ministers of defense. Since 1993, he has played a key role in the Arab-Israeli peace process, participating in most of Israel's negotiations with the Palestinians, Jordanians, and Syrians, including the Wye Plantation summit, Camp David summit, the Taba negotiations, and the Annapolis summit and subsequent talks - a diplomatic role that continued away from the limelight even when the sides were not engaged in formal negotiations.

Amb. Herzog’s military career has included service as head of the Strategic Planning Division (1998-2001), deputy head of the Strategic Planning Division (1995-1998), member of the Intelligence Corps (1974-1994), and infantry soldier (1973 war). He holds degrees from Haifa University (MA), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (BA), and Israel’s National Defense College.

He is the grandson of Israel’s first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, and the son of Chaim Herzog, who served as Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations (1975-1978) and as the nation’s sixth president (1983-1993). Amb. Herzog is the brother of the current President of Israel, Isaac Herzog.

Ambassador Herzog is married to Shirin, a prominent Israeli lawyer.