Michael Oren is tipped to replace Natan Sharansky as Jewish Agency chairman.

Mr Oren, a member of Israel’s centrist Kulanu party who is currently a deputy minister to Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly received backing from Jewish leaders from the US, Europe and Israel.

The former Israeli Ambassador to the United States confirmed that Jewish leaders had approached him months ago about the possibility of taking over, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Mr Sharansky is set to leave the post he has held since 2009 in June and Mr Netanyahu will appoint a new candidate.

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.