After 2 tough years, Israeli ambassador heads home, hopeful for direct peace talks

Israeli envoy heads home after tough 2 years

UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s outgoing U.N. ambassador, Gabriela Shalev, calls her job “an almost impossible mission,” but she’s still heading home on a note of hope.

The impending resumption of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks comes as a welcome change after nearly two years of having to contend with the fallout from Israel’s deadly actions involving Gaza and a cooler relationship with the Obama administration.

Shalev, a 69-year-old law professor, told The Associated Press in a farewell interview that despite near-constant criticism, she believes it’s important for Israel to remain an active member of the world body and widen Israel’s contribution in areas such as global development and peacekeeping.