Statement of President Joe Biden on the Passing of Ambassador Martin S. Indyk

Statement of President Joe Biden on the Passing of Ambassador Martin S. Indyk | The White HouseSkip to contentThe White HouseThe White House The White House Home AdministrationPrioritiesThe RecordBriefing RoomEspañol InstagramOpens in a new windowFacebookOpens in a new windowXOpens in a new windowYouTubeOpens in a new window Contact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyAccessibility Statement MenuCloseTo search this site, enter a search termSearchMobile Menu OverlayAdministrationShow submenu for “Administration””President Joe BidenVice President Kamala HarrisFirst Lady Dr. Jill BidenSecond Gentleman Douglas EmhoffThe CabinetExecutive OfficesShow submenu for “Executive Offices””Council of Economic AdvisersCouncil on Environmental QualityDomestic Policy CouncilGender Policy CouncilNational Economic CouncilNational Security CouncilNational Space CouncilOffice of Intergovernmental AffairsOffice of Management and BudgetOffice of the National Cyber DirectorOffice of National Drug Control PolicyOffice of Public EngagementOffice of Science and Technology PolicyOffice of the United States Trade RepresentativeClimate Policy OfficePresidential Personnel OfficePrioritiesBriefing RoomThe White HouseShow submenu for “The White House””PresidentsFirst FamiliesThe GroundsOur GovernmentGet InvolvedShow submenu for “Get Involved””Write or Call The White HouseJoin UsWhite House FellowsWhite House Internship ProgramThe RecordDisclosuresEspañol Contact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyAccessibility Statement InstagramOpens in a new windowFacebookOpens in a new windowXOpens in a new windowYouTubeOpens in a new window The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 To search this site, enter a search termSearchJuly 26, 2024 Statement of President Joe Biden on the Passing of Ambassador Martin S. Indyk Home Briefing Room Statements and Releases Martin Indyk dedicated his life to the pursuit of peace. Raised in Australia, Martin made Aliyah in 1973, moving to Israel and volunteering on a kibbutz. He chose to devote his career to the work of building peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, inspired by the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War. His commitment to peace was rooted in witnessing that conflict and realizing that Israel’s existence is fragile, peace is the only path to lasting security, and the United States must be a part of that endeavor.As a member of President Clinton’s National Security Council and two-time U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Martin played an essential role in the Oslo Accords and the follow-on negotiations – the closest that Israelis and Palestinians have ever come to making peace. He was also America’s Ambassador to Israel on that fateful day in 1995 when Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Martin rushed to the hospital to console Rabin’s wife Leah – representing the American people’s empathy and grief at a pivotal moment.He and I worked together during the Obama-Biden Administration, when Martin served as Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations – the last time the two parties engaged seriously on final status negotiations. More recently, he has been a voice of clarity and conviction since the horrific October 7thattack by Hamas and during the war in Gaza. His legacy lives on in the many officials across my Administration who were mentored by Martin and learned firsthand from his vast knowledge, integrity, and heart. His unshakeable optimism and commitment to peace is as important today as it’s ever been.Jill and I are holding Martin’s family in our thoughts – especially his beloved wife Gahl, his children Jacob and Sarah, stepchildren Christopher and Caroline, brother and sister, and five grandchildren. May his memory be a blessing. ### Stay ConnectedSign UpEmail Address* RequiredZIP CodePlease leave blank.We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better. Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden. ShareShare this page on FacebookShare this page on Xhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/26/statement-of-president-joe-biden-on-the-passing-of-ambassador-martin-s-indyk/?utm_source=link HomeThe AdministrationExecutive OfficesPrioritiesThe RecordBriefing RoomThe White HouseDisclosuresGet InvolvedEspañol Contact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright PolicyAccessibility Statement InstagramOpens in a new windowFacebookOpens in a new windowXOpens in a new windowYouTubeOpens in a new window The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 WH.gov Scroll to Top Scroll to Top Top