Renowned diplomat Martin S. Indyk, a dedicated author and leader at prestigious U.S. think tanks, passed away on Thursday at the age of 73. His wife, Gahl Hodges Burt, confirmed his death from complications of esophageal cancer at their home in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
Indyk, who had been a distinguished fellow in U.S. and Middle East diplomacy at the Council on Foreign Relations since 2018, was praised as a “rare, trusted voice within an otherwise polarized debate on U.S. policy toward the Middle East.”
Originally from Australia, Indyk served as U.S. ambassador to Israel on two occasions. He held the position from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2000 to 2001. During former President Barack Obama’s administration, he served as the special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations from 2013 to 2014.
Despite his resignation in 2014 to join The Brookings Institution, his commitment to the mission of achieving peace in the region never wavered. Obama continued to rely on his expertise as a special adviser on Mideast peace issues.
Secretary of State John Kerry once commended Indyk by acknowledging his decades-long dedication to the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace. Kerry highlighted Indyk’s wisdom and insight that he brought to the collective efforts towards achieving lasting peace.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Indyk used his platform on social media to urge Israelis to “wake up” and warned them about potential consequences. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his actions and decisions during times of crisis.
Indyk’s significant contributions extended beyond his diplomatic roles. He served in various positions under President Bill Clinton and held leadership roles at think tanks, including the Center for Middle East Policy and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
His successor at The Washington Institute, Robert Satloff, described Indyk as a “true American success story” and acknowledged his impact on shaping American Middle East policy. Satloff praised Indyk for his visionary approach and his commitment to sound research-based public policy.
Indyk’s legacy also includes his written work, with several books to his name. Among them are “Innocent Abroad: An Intimate Account of American Peace Diplomacy in the Middle East” and “Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy,” published in 2021.