Samuel W. Lewis
Encyclopedia
Samuel Winfield Lewis is a retired American diplomat
. During his lengthy career with the United States Department of State
he served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
(1975-1977), U.S. ambassador
to Israel
(1977-1985) and Director of Policy Planning
(1993-1994). Lewis also headed the United States Institute of Peace
from 1987 through 1993).
Lewis is frequent guest commentator on Middle Eastern issues for television and radio programs. In 2009, he will be featured in the Harry Hunkele
- directed documentary film, "Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace
." “Back Door Channels” takes its name from the important yet seldom understood role that unofficial back channels of communications, often through third-party countries and private businessmen, played in securing the peace between Israel
and Egypt. In addition The film’s producers conducted in-depth interviews with many of the original participants from the first historic peace process, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other world leaders.
Lewis currently sits on the US Advisory Council of the Israel Policy Forum
, and is involved in the J Street
project.
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
. During his lengthy career with the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
he served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs is the head of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs within the American Department of State that creates and executes policy in international organizations such as the United Nations...
(1975-1977), U.S. ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
(1977-1985) and Director of Policy Planning
Director of Policy Planning
The Director of Policy Planning is the United States Department of State official in charge of the Department's internal think tank, the Policy Planning Staff. The position of Director of Policy Planning has traditionally been held by many members of the U.S. foreign policy establishment...
(1993-1994). Lewis also headed the United States Institute of Peace
United States Institute of Peace
The United States Institute of Peace was created by Congress as a non-partisan, federal institution that works to prevent or end violent conflict around the world...
from 1987 through 1993).
Lewis is frequent guest commentator on Middle Eastern issues for television and radio programs. In 2009, he will be featured in the Harry Hunkele
Harry Hunkele
Harry Hunkele is an American Film and Television Director, Producer and Editor. He is a ten-time Emmy Award winning television director and producer and is the director of the feature documentary "Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace" . -Biography:Hunkele was born in rural Vermont, and came to...
- directed documentary film, "Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace
Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace
Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace, directed by Harry Hunkele,and produced by Arick Wierson, Donald Tanselle, and Matthew Tollin, is an American documentary film about the interplay between the official government channels and the men who acted largely behind the scenes during the course of...
." “Back Door Channels” takes its name from the important yet seldom understood role that unofficial back channels of communications, often through third-party countries and private businessmen, played in securing the peace between Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Egypt. In addition The film’s producers conducted in-depth interviews with many of the original participants from the first historic peace process, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other world leaders.
Lewis currently sits on the US Advisory Council of the Israel Policy Forum
Israel Policy Forum
The Israel Policy Forum is a New York, NY based American Jewish organization that works for a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The organization lobbies American policymakers in support of this goal and writes opinion pieces that have appeared in many Jewish and non-Jewish...
, and is involved in the J Street
J Street
J Street is a nonprofit liberal advocacy group based in the United States whose stated aim is to promote American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Israel-Palestinian conflicts peacefully and diplomatically. It was founded in April 2008....
project.