Mark Regev

Mark Regev (Hebrew: מארק רגב‎, /ˈrɛɡəv/) (born 1960) is an Israeli diplomat and civil servant. In August 2020, he became the foreign media advisor in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, a position he previously held from 2007 to 2015. Regev was Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2020.

His Excellency

Mark Regev
מארק רגב
Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom
In office
April 2016 – 2020
PresidentReuven Rivlin
Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu
Preceded byDaniel Taub
Succeeded byTzipi Hotovely
Personal details
Born
Mark Freiberg

1960 (age 60–61)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
CitizenshipIsrael
Spouse(s)Vered Regev
Children3
EducationMount Scopus Memorial College
Alma materMelbourne University
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Boston University
OccupationDiplomat and civil servant

Early life

He was born Mark Freiberg in Melbourne, Australia in 1960 to Martin and Freda Freiberg.[1] He was educated at Mount Scopus Memorial College, a Jewish day school in Melbourne.[2] He received his bachelor's degree in political science and history at Melbourne University, and master's degrees in political science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and in management from Boston University.[3]

In his youth, Freiberg was a prominent member of the Socialist Zionist youth movement Ichud Habonim and was active in the Melbourne University Jewish Students Society.[4] In 1982, he emigrated to Israel and worked at kibbutz Tel Katzir.[4] In Israel, he Hebraicized his name from Freiberg to Regev.[4] He served as a combat soldier in the Nahal Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces.[5]

Career

Regev began his career as a lecturer on international relations and strategy at the Israel Defense Forces Staff College.[3] He joined Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990, serving as deputy chief of mission at the Consulate General in Hong Kong, and spokesman at the Israeli Embassy in Beijing.[6] He also served as spokesman at the Embassy in Washington, D.C.. Regev was the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem from 2004 to 2007.

Regev has both received prominence and criticism in international media when he presented the Israeli position in numerous interviews to English language TV and radio channels during the 2006 Lebanon War, the 2008–09 Gaza War, the 2012 Operation Pillar of Defense, and the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict and Operation Brother's Keeper.

In August 2015, Regev was confirmed as Israel's ambassador to the United Kingdom.[7] He replaced Daniel Taub in London.[7] He was replaced as spokesman by David Keyes.[8]

As ambassador, Regev is involved in interfaith activities. He hosted an iftar dinner at his residence for members of Britain’s Muslim leadership.[5] After a four year term as ambassador, Regev was succeeded by Tzipi Hotovely.[9]

In 2020, Regev returned to the Prime Minister's Office as foreign media advisor.[10] He succeeded Evan Cohen in the position.[9]

Personal life

He is married to Vered Regev and they have three children.[11][4]

References
  1. "Aussie Regev becomes Israel's man in the UK - The Australian Jewish News". 7 April 2016.
  2. The (Aussie) voice of Israel - In Depth, The Age
  3. "mfa.gov".
  4. Mark Regev News, UPI
  5. "Israel's man in London: Ambassador Mark Regev will go anywhere - Israel News - Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
  6. Mark Regev, Spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, 15 November 2004
  7. staff, T. O. I. "PM's spokesman confirmed as new envoy to UK". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
  8. "Netanyahu appoints provocative activist as spokesperson". Ynetnews. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  9. Ahren, Raphael. "After four years in the UK, Mark Regev returns to Netanyahu's office". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  10. Ahren, Raphael. "After four years in the UK, Mark Regev returns to Netanyahu's office". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  11. Ambassador Regev Arrives in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, 5 April 2016
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