Veteran Diplomat Martin Indyk Dies at 73

Martin S. Indyk, a prominent U.S. diplomat known for his efforts to find peace in the Middle East, has passed away at the age of 73. Indyk’s wife, Gahl Hodges Burt, confirmed that he died from complications of esophageal cancer at their home in Connecticut.

Indyk was not just a diplomat but also a respected author and leader at several influential think tanks. Since 2018, he had been a distinguished fellow in U.S. and Middle East diplomacy at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he was recognized as a ‘rare, trusted voice’ in a polarized debate about U.S. policies in the region.

Born in Australia, Indyk made significant contributions to U.S.-Israeli relations, serving as U.S. ambassador to Israel twice, from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2000 to 2001. He was also special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations during the Obama administration from 2013 to 2014.

Throughout his career, Indyk was dedicated to the mission of achieving lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. In a recent social media post, he urged Israelis to ‘wake up’ to the realities they face, criticizing their government for its approach to ongoing conflicts.

Indyk’s sharp insights didn’t hold back when addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of creating a crisis to deflect attention from challenges facing Israel.

Beyond his government service, Indyk had a long history with several think tanks, including the Brookings Institution and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. His contributions to Middle East policy were recognized as integral to shaping the conversation around diplomacy in the region.