Isadore J. “Dore” Gold ’75, Diplomat and Netanyahu Confidante

American-born Israeli diplomat Isadore J. “Dore” Gold ’75, SIPA’79, GSAS’84, a scholar, Middle East expert and longtime adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, died on March 3, 2025, in Jerusalem. He was 71.

Gold held a variety of positions with the Israeli government. Most importantly, he held the ear and the trust of Netanyahu and thus played a major role in shaping Israel’s diplomatic strategy.

“Dore accompanied me for over three decades as a dedicated public servant without peer,” Netanyahu said in his April 3 statement on Gold’s passing. “He was endowed with a unique intellectual integrity, working ability and a genuine love for the State of Israel. He also had a fervent Zionist vision and a sharp analytical ability that was beneficial for Israel in the international arena.”

Born on July 25, 1953, in Hartford, Conn., Gold was raised in a Conservative Jewish home. He earned multiple degrees from Columbia: a B.A. in Oriental studies; an M.A. in 1976, and an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in political science, both in 1984, and all from GSAS; and a certificate from SIPA’s Middle East Institute in 1979. His doctoral dissertation focused on Saudi Arabia and evolved into one of his six books, the New York Times 2003 bestseller Hatred’s Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia Supports the New Global Terrorism.

Published in the wake of 9-11, Hatred’s Kingdom postulated that Saudi Arabia, through its adherence to and promotion of Wahhabi Islam, played a central and dangerous role in fostering global terrorism and contributed to the rise of groups like al-Qaeda. Despite that position, Gold’s diplomatic skills enabled him to facilitate dialogue between Israel and Saudi officials; he played a significant role in advancing the Abraham Accords between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors such as Bahrain and the U.A.E.

Gold made aliyah in 1980 and after studying in a Jerusalem yeshiva and serving in the Israel Defense Forces, began his academic career as a senior research associate at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. He went on to direct the U.S. Foreign and Defense Policy Project at TAU’s Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies from 1987 to 1996. Gold was Netanyahu’s Foreign Policy Advisor 1996–97 and the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations 1997–99.

Gold was president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, which he helped transform into a leading Israeli think tank. From 2001 to 2003, he served as a foreign-policy adviser to then prime minister Ariel Sharon. In 2014, Gold became an “outside consultant” to Netanyahu; a year later, Netanyahu selected him to serve as director-general of the Foreign Ministry, a position he held until October 2016.

Journalists and diplomats sought him out because of his knowledge of the issues, because he was considered close to Netanyahu and able to reflect his thinking, and because he was honest, straightforward and approachable.

Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs, eulogized Gold: “Dore was one of Israel’s most respected diplomats, setting a high standard for academic excellence, diplomatic vision and exceptional communication skills in his various roles. He left a unique and significant mark on the Jerusalem Center, the State of Israel, the Jewish people and the international community as a whole. His legacy of moral integrity and unwavering commitment to defending Israel and the Jewish people will forever be remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him.”

Gold is survived by his wife, Ofra; two children; and six grandchildren.

— Alex Sachare ’71