John Kyle, Key Pro-Israel US Senator, Dies at 84

Former US Senator John Kyle of Arizona passed away on Thursday at the age of 84, following complications from a neurological illness. Kyle, a senior figure in the Republican Party in the Senate for many years, served in the US Congress for nearly three decades and was considered one of Israel's most prominent supporters on Capitol Hill.

For the Israeli public, Kyle is particularly remembered for his role in the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act. He worked alongside Senator Bob Dole to advance the legislation, which declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital and mandated the relocation of the US embassy there. The bill passed the Senate with a 93-5 majority, but its full implementation was delayed for over two decades. A national security waiver allowed successive presidents to postpone the embassy move every six months.

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama utilized this waiver until 2017, when President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, leading to the embassy's relocation in 2018.

Born in Nebraska in 1942, Kyle was the son of Congressman John Henry Kyle. After studying law and working as an attorney and lobbyist in Phoenix, he was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1986, serving until 1995. He then won a Senate seat representing Arizona, holding it until 2013. During his Senate tenure, Kyle rose through Republican leadership ranks, heading the party's policy committee and serving as the party's whip.

After announcing in 2011 that he would not seek reelection, Kyle concluded his Senate term in January 2013. However, he returned to politics in 2018 when Arizona Governor Doug Ducey appointed him to fill the vacancy left by the late Senator John McCain. Kyle served in this interim capacity until January 2019.

Throughout his public career, Kyle focused on national security, immigration, and water policy, and promoted US-Israel security cooperation, including missile defense. He was also involved in Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination in 2018. His family stated that he viewed serving Arizona and the United States as both a privilege and a responsibility. He is survived by his wife, Carryl, and two children.