Spotlight U.N. Envoy Israel selects a political outsider and renowned legal mind. Dina Kraft Jewish Telegraphic Agency Gabriela Shalev is Israel's incoming U.N. ambassador. Tel Aviv A n exceptional intellect paired with an unflappable exterior are traits Gabriela Shalev's high- powered colleagues and friends say will serve her well when she leaves for New York to become Israel's next ambassador to the United Nations. Shalev, an internationally renowned law professor, will be the first woman to serve in the post. She was appointed to replace Dan Gillerman. "She has a strong will and she knows what she is talking about:' said Meir Shamgar, a former chief justice of Israel's Supreme Court. Shamgar first encountered Shalev when she was a student in a course he taught at Hebrew University. A few years later Shalev joined Shamgar as a colleague on the university's law faculty, where she worked until 2002. More recently, the two served together on a panel outlining ethics guidelines for Cabinet ministers. Shalev, 67, is an expert in contract law and a political outsider not associated with any party who has been serving as the rector of Ono Academic College near Tel Aviv. The Backdrop In appointing Shalev, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni indicated that she was deter- mined to put a highly qualified woman in the role. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reportedly had favored Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul general in New York and a Labor Party member. Some Israeli commentators criticized Livni for picking a political outsider, but Jerusalem Post columnist Calev Ben-David said Livni's choice may work well for the audience that perhaps matters most: international public opinion. "Livni was justified in wanting a woman for the post for reasons beyond gender advancement: Polls show that given Israel's militaristic image abroad, women make the best general impression as our advocates in the international media;' Ben-David wrote. Despite some grumbling from the dip- lomatic corps that one of their own again was passed over for the important posi- tion in New York — Gillerman also had been a political outsider until his selection — Shalev's supporters say she is a quick study who will compensate for any foreign policy inexperience with her talents as an orator and a team player. Shalev declined to be interviewed for this story. Her office said she will not be giving interviews until she assumes her post in New York ahead of the U.N. General Assembly, which begins in September. The daughter of German Jewish refu- gees in what was then British Mandate Palestine, Shalev grew up with a strong work ethic. She helped support her family while a student at Hebrew University, from where she earned a bachelor's degree and a doctorate in law. She also did post-doctorate work at Harvard after her husband, an Israeli army officer, was killed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Shalev raised two young chil- dren alone. "The experiences of Israel are part of her, and she's also paid a price said Orna Lin, a former student of Shalev's and a good friend. Lin described Shalev as a relentless worker who also knows how to find time for students and friends, and who can talk as easily about her passions for opera, classical music and art as she can about legal disputes. has not only been a professor but very active publicly!' Lin says Shalev is always calm and in control. "She can deal with any situation and never seems to be baffled by anything. I think her intelligence will help prevent her from falling into the landmines that Her Background await in a place like the U.N." This was not the first attempt to draw Her predecessor, Gillerman, was a for- Shalev into government work. Shalev mer businessman who upon leaving his declined several high-profile posts, includ- post this summer was lauded as a sea- ing judgeships and the office of attorney soned diplomat with excellent rhetorical general. Nevertheless, she is no stranger to skills. Observers said Gillerman succeeded public positions. in raising Israel's profile at the United Shalev has been a member of the Jewish Nations and bolstering its image around Agency board of governors and was the world. chairwoman of the Israel Broadcasting . At a farewell party last month for Authority. She has spent time in the Gillerman, U.N. Secretary-General Ban United States as a visiting professor Ki-moon offered deep praise for the Israeli at such schools as Tulane, Temple an d. envoy's tenure at the world body, noting Boston College. the "special challenges" of representing Alan Hoffman, the director-general Of Israel. the Jewish Agency's education depart- Shalev will have plenty of challenges ment, called Shalev's selection "an inspired awaiting in New York. Most notably, she choice' must navigate the notoriously anti-Israel "She has all of the tools to•be able - • • atmosphere at the United Nations and to interpret Israel to the nations of the help push for diplomatic support for world:' Hoffman said. "I think she is Israel's efforts to halt Iran's suspected pur- unusual in the academic world in that she suit of nuclear weapons. ❑ alIN September 4 • 2008 C25