By Reut Cohen
B’nai Brith Canada
Deborah Lyons has been appointed the new ambassador of Canada to Israel by Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion, replacing Vivian Bercovici.
Before embarking on a career in government and diplomacy, Lyons was a successful small business owner who managed companies in tourism and consulting. Since joining the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1999, she has been posted to locations such as Tokyo and Washington D.C., where she served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Canadian Embassy.
In 2013, Lyons was named Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan, where she spent two years as the only female ambassador to the country. In Afghanistan, Lyons worked on the integration of women into the political system as well as defending women’s rights in peace negotiations with the Taliban.
B’nai Brith CEO Michael Mostyn expressed congratulations to Lyons. “As the only female ambassador in Kabul, Deborah Lyons understands what it means to showcase female empowerment. We are positive this will be appreciated in the vibrant and tolerant democracy that is Israel.”
B’nai Brith Canada also thanks outgoing ambassador Vivian Bercovici for her dedicated work to building a lasting and committed relationship between Canada and Israel.
B’nai Brith Canada looks forward to continuing to work with our friends and colleagues in the Canadian government and the foreign ministry regarding issues important to the Jewish community.
