Biden's Lebanon Envoy, Ex-Israeli Soldier Amos Hochstein, Gave Israel 'Green Light' to Invade Lebanon

One of Biden's top Middle East advisers:
–IDF veteran
–Lobbied for government accused of torture & companies like Marathon Oil
–Helped convince Biden to not ostracize Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggihttps://t.co/hhlXvVW4rW

— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) October 11, 2024

Who Is the Ex-Israeli Soldier Serving as Biden's Lebanon Envoy?

Amos Hochstein, an Israeli military veteran, is the US official who reportedly gave the green light to Netanyahu.

by Prem Thakker | Oct 10, 2024

From Israeli Soldier to Biden Confidant

Hochstein's ascent from Israeli soldier to energy adviser to one of Biden's most trusted advisers on the Middle East may appear to be despite his background – but some argue the rise is because of it.

Born in Israel in 1973, Hochstein served in the Israeli military as a young man, reportedly as a tank crewman.

In a 2012 interview, Hochstein's wife said, "My husband is Israeli…" Hochstein would have been serving in the State Department at the time as the deputy assistant secretary for energy diplomacy.

When asked if Hochstein ever held Israeli citizenship and, if so, whether he renounced it, the State Department directed Zeteo to the White House. The White House National Security Council said that Hochstein is not a dual citizen but would not elaborate. Hochstein did not respond to a list of questions about his background and current role.

Characterized by the New York Times as a "dashing profile in his slim-fitting suits and slicked-back hair," Hochstein began his Washington career in 1994 as a staffer for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Since then, he's worked in both the private and public sectors in varying capacities.

That's included lobbying for some questionable parties like Equatorial Guinea and its president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, whose government was accused of "unlawful killings by security forces; government-sanctioned kidnappings; systematic torture of prisoners and detainees by security forces," and Marathon Oil, which sought an exemption from a US law that empowered Americans to sue foreign governments they have terrorism-related claims against (several oil giants like Marathon had inked deals under Muammar Gaddafi's reign).

Hochstein also served on the supervisory board of Ukraine's state-owned natural gas company Naftogaz and consulted for a UAE-based natural gas company.

He began his tenure with the State Department in 2011 under the Obama administration. At the time, he also served as a close adviser to then-Vice President Biden. Several years later, with Biden in the Oval Office, Hochstein was appointed as the top energy official at the State Department before being elevated to a senior adviser at the White House last year.

"The president has known Amos for some time, dating back to the Obama administration, and he really respects and trusts him," a senior administration official told E&E News in 2022. "Whenever questions of energy come up, [Biden] seeks his advice."

"He's Biden's favorite energy guy," an energy industry consultant echoed.