Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States since last May, made headlines last week, and not the kind he prefers.
News outlets around the world reported on the relentless heckling Oren received during a Feb. 8 speech at U.C. Irvine — par for the course for high-profile Israeli officials.
But the American-born, Princeton-educated historian doesn’t mind tough debates. While shoring up U.S.-Israeli relations back in Washington, D.C., he frequently travels the country meeting with friendly, and sometimes not so friendly, groups.
During a swing through the Bay Area last week, Oren, 55, met with business and Jewish community leaders. On the drive from the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation to Stanford University, the ambassador invited j. reporter Dan Pine along for the ride. They talked about the state of U.S.-Israel relations, the heckling incident and the skill set Oren brings to a very demanding job.