Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations
Ambassador Danny Danon began his second term as Israel’s 19th Permanent Representative to the United Nations in August 2024. He is the only Israeli Ambassador ever to have served in this position twice.
Before returning to the US to serve at the United Nations, Danon served as a senior member of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in the ruling Likud party. In this capacity, he was also on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Subcommittee for Intelligence and Secret Services.
Additionally, he held the position of Chairman of the World Likud. Prior to this he served his first five year tenure as Israel’s 17th Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2015 - 2020.
With over twenty years experience representing Israel, Ambassador Danon
has developed a reputation as one of Israel’s most ardent defenders. As Chairman of the World Likud Danon leads Israel’s public diplomacy efforts on the world stage and conducts advocacy campaigns on behalf of Israel. He is instrumental in uniting Israel with world Jewry and with broader international communities. He regularly appears on a range of global media channels in panels, debates and forums to advocate on behalf of Israel.
At the UN, Danny Danon became the first Israeli to lead a UN committee when he was elected Chairman of the Sixth (Legal) Committee in 2016. The following year, he served as Vice President of the General Assembly for its 72nd(2017-2018) session. During his tenure, Danny Danon spearheaded numerous resolutions and efforts that changed Israel’s standing at the UN. In 2016, he led the UN’s first international summit against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Danon also initiated a program to lead his ambassadorial colleagues on numerous trips to Poland and Israel.
Prior to assuming his role as UN ambassador, Danon served in the 18th, 19th, and 20th Knessets. In his first term (2009-2012), Danon served as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and chaired several committees and caucuses, including the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee on Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, and the IDF Widows and Orphans Caucus. He was also a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. In this capacity, Danon passed multiple legislative items that focused on social and economic issues.
From 2013-2014, Danon served as Deputy Minister of Defense, where he headed the Social Welfare and the Reserves departments. His efforts centered on increasing IDF enlistment from traditionally underrepresented segments of Israeli society, as well as improving service conditions for service members in the military reserves.
In 2015, Danon was appointed Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology. In this role, he expanded international cooperation and investment in the fields of science and technology, as well as increased access to them for women and minority groups.
Earlier in his career, Danon was a member of the Board of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Chair of World Betar, and member of the Executive Board of the World Zionist Organization, where he led efforts to
combat antisemitism. Danon also previously served as an emissary of the Jewish Agency in Miami, Florida, where he promoted Israel advocacy to the community and on campuses.
Danon completed his military service at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Florida International University, for which he earned Magna Cum Laude Honors. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University.
Ambassador Danny Danon has contributed to leading publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, New York Post, LA Times, USA Today, and Foreign Policy and has made regular appearances in international media outlets including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and the BBC.
His first book The Will to Prevail was published to much critical acclaim. Released in 2022, his new book, In the Lion’s Den: Israel and the World, delves into his time at the United Nations.
He is married to Talie Danon. They have three children, Aviad, Hila, and Shira.