New ambassador to Australia
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has chosen British-born diplomat Mark Sofer as its next ambassador to Australia.
ISRAEL’S Foreign Ministry has chosen British-born diplomat Mark Sofer as its next ambassador to Australia.
He will take over from Shmuel Ben-Shmuel later this year, and his posting to Canberra will be his third ambassadorial post.
Sofer served as Israel’s top diplomat in India from 2008 to 2011, and was ambassador to Ireland from 1999 to 2002.
Sofer was close to Shimon Peres, serving as his policy advisor in the 1990s.
He joined Israel’s Foreign Ministry in 1981, and his various positions have included non-ambassadorial postings to Peru, Norway, and America.
He was used to living under the spotlight long before he entered diplomacy – he’s a son of Victor and Lilian Hochhauser, well-known London-based music impresarios.
They are widely considered the leading independent promoters of classical music and ballet in Britain.
Several of the areas that Sofer focussed on in India are expected to be relevant in Australia, especially technology.
He promoted Israeli innovation in India, with an emphasis on water technology and clean-tech, two areas that have particular relevance in Australia.
NATHAN JEFFAY
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