Jane Sherman, an honorary member of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors said: “Appointing Michael to the job is a great idea.
“He is truly interested in the betterment of the Jewish world. He understands the world Jewish community and American Jews in particular as well as anyone in Israel.”
Leaders of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Federations of North America have reportedly given Mr Netanyahu a list of candidates they think are capable of replacing Mr Sharansky.
Other candidates include Israel’s infrastructure and energy minister Yuval Steinitz and opposition MKs Isaac Herzog and Nachman Shai.
If a successor is not appointed after Mr Sharansky leaves, the Jewish Agency would be chaired on an interim basis by its vice chairman David Breakstone.
