Martin S. Indyk, a distinguished diplomat, author, and foreign policy thinker, who dedicated decades to resolving the complexities of Middle East peace, passed away at the age of 73 at his residence in New Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday. The cause of his passing was complications of esophageal cancer, as confirmed by his wife, Gahl Burt.
An Australian-born academic renowned for his sharp wit, direct approach, and pro-Israel background, Mr. Indyk brought a distinctive perspective to the U.S. State Department in the 1990s. He played a pivotal role in America’s endeavors to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians. In 2013, serving as a special envoy for President Barack Obama, he tirelessly shuttled between the two sides. Earlier, in 1998, he was instrumental in negotiating an agreement between them at the Wye Plantation in Maryland during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
Mr. Indyk skillfully balanced a deep-rooted commitment to Israel, cultivated during his time as a graduate student in Jerusalem amid the 1973 Yom Kippur War, with a critical stance on Jewish settlements. He viewed these settlements as a significant obstacle to achieving a two-state solution, which he believed was essential for Israelis and Palestinians to finally put an end to the protracted conflict.
During his final months, he observed with deep concern as Hamas militants targeted Israeli civilians, triggering a forceful Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. For Mr. Indyk, this violence evoked painful memories of Israel’s overconfidence before the Yom Kippur War. Reflecting on the situation, he remarked on the parallels between the current events and the hubris he had previously warned about, emphasizing the urgent need for a reevaluation of assumptions and strategies to avoid repeating past mistakes.
