When they tell you “ambassador, you arrive in turbulent times” intuits that the diplomatic task will not be easy. This is the phrase that the new European Union ambassador has had today, Michael Mann When delivering its credentials to Isaac Herzog, president of Israel, his new destination.
Born in Kent (England) 58 years ago and father of five children – two with his current wife and three of a previous marriage – has the dual British and German nationality. For his profile he could well perform the role of ‘man for everything from the EUafter one Trajectory of decades in the Brussels apparatus… although for many years it was physically from Europe.
Before assuming the diplomatic representation of Brussels in Tel Aviv, Mann exercised as EU special envoy for Arctic Affairs. A work that he developed during his position as a community ambassador to Icelandamong other positions of a long list of European merits that began as a journalist, becoming a correspondent in the EU for the Financial Times.
The last years has been fully linked to Israel. In 2022 He assumed the Headquarters of the Department responsible for Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories and the peace process in the Middle East. At this time I had to coordinate the answer to “Terrible, brutal and indiscriminate “Hamas attack of October 7 and “the devastating later war in Gaza“, as described, with those terms.
On his own page, if he had been chosen for this position, which arrives “14 years after knowing Israel”, then as spokesperson for the high representative of the EU, Catherine Ashton. At the moment, everything is called to concord, Without a word that can generate a new gap with Israel.
However, its official landing in the Hebrew country coincides with the open debate within the European Union, more and more close to talking about “genocide” in Gaza and especially a. In fact, this Wednesday is expected to present its formal proposal for rupture.
That context has marked Mann’s presentation before the Israeli head of state. Isaac Herzog He has recognized being “extremely concerned” about open discussions in Brussels. In this regard, he has warned that “I hope Europe is smart enough as for Do not take steps that could be irreparable“.
Despite his criticisms of Europe and “high European positions, including President Ursula von der Leyen,” Herzog has tried to show himself as a Europeanist leader. “I am a firm defender of relations between Israel and Europe. Some in Israel believe that Europe is a lost cause, but I do not agree, “he said as ‘gesture’ towards the new ambassador.
His strange welcome to the community diplomat has continued with a somewhat friendlier word towards him, who has continued Michael Mann himself with courtesy. Without getting into considerations about Gazathis has limited himself to showing his desire to “work together with Israelis from all social sectors for a Better future for Israel and the region“.
Yes he talked about Gaza a day before, after a visit he gave in his social networks. His First experience in the strip “I was horrified by atrocities“, as well as” deeply moved by the force and resilience of the survivors […] and local leaders. “”The war must end. The hostages must return home, “he finished hours before delivering his credentials to the Israeli president.
