Washington sources report two new appointments at the US State Department’s Middle East section. DEBKAfile: Both appointees are outspoken critics of Netanyahu government policies. US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson, who has been criticized as overly supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, is promoted to Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs; Rob Malley, a vocal opponent of Israel’s Palestinian policy and Jewish West Bank settlement, is named head of the Middle East desk. He has strong ties with the opposition Peace Now faction in the US.