The term for the ambassador to Israel is currently ending and the WH wants a high profile pick to go down to Israel and be a public face.
The WH is going to Obama buddy and former Representative from the State of Florida, Robert Wexler.
Wexler to Israel?
The downside to all of this he's resisting because he doesn't want to leave the states for what would be a full time position down in Israel. He didn't want it the first time the administration offered, but there's no indication that he has rejected it this time. Obama, is anything if, insistent. (For Reference: See: Appointment of Hillary Clinton and Healthcare Reform).
In some ways, the Obama administration’s stepped-up pro-Israel PR blitz the past month represents the kind of outreach Wexler has been doing for Obama all along going back to the presidential campaign -- talking up Obama’s commitment to Israel’s security and the benefits to Israel's and the region's security and prosperity that a comprehensive peace settlement would provide, to Jewish and wider audiences.
What's unclear to some associates is if Wexler would be willing to give up a position now where he has influence and access to the highest levels of both Washington and Middle Eastern capitals, without the constraints and hassle (not to mention salary) of a government job. "Wexler is playing a very important role, really advancing a dialogue in the community" in his current NGO role, one Washington Middle East hand said on condition of anonymity. "He really in a short time has stepped up to the plate."
The Middle East hand didn’t know if Wexler had recently been re-offered or would accept the ambassador job. But "when the president asks you, one is hard pressed to say no," the former official acknowledged.
For those who don't know who Wexler is, which would be surprising on dailykos, here's a good primer Robert Wexler Wikipedia Bio
Wexler served in the Florida Senate from 1990 to 1996 before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1996 election, filling the open seat vacated by fellow Democrat Harry Johnston. He has been reelected five times, never facing serious opposition in one of the most Democratic districts in Florida. During the 2008 campaign, Wexler agreed to receive JStreetPAC’s endorsement and financial support and lost funding from Washington PAC as a result. Morris Amitay, the head of Washington PAC, made clear to candidates seeking support from his PAC that he does not view favorably those who receive funds from JStreet. Amitay said "There’s a striking resemblance between the people they support and the anti-Israel Hall of Fame," [3]