Senate confirms Biden’s controversial ambassador to Israel pick Jack Lew despite Republican concerns that he’s ‘pro-Iran’
The Senate confirmed Jack Lew as US ambassador to Israel after months of back-and-forth amid the country’s war with Hamas.
The vote was 53 to 43, with two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul, Ky., and Lindsey Graham, S.C., joined all current Democrats in voting for him.
The US has been without an ambassador to its key ally in the Middle East since Tom Nides returned to the United States in July to work at Wells Fargo.
Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Hallett manages US interests in Israel at a time when the country is embroiled in a war with Hamas in neighboring Gaza.
Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have been in frequent contact with their Israeli counterparts, with Blinken and Biden traveling to Israel earlier this month.
The Senate confirmed Jack Lew as US ambassador to Israel after months of back-and-forth amid the country’s war with Hamas
Lew served as director of the Office of Management and Budget under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and also served as Obama’s chief of staff and secretary of the Treasury.
Lew is an Orthodox Jew who acted as a go-between for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Obama. He faced criticism from Republicans over his involvement in the 2015 Iran deal to ease economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 came at a time when no US ambassador was present in Israel, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon or Oman.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been without an assistant administrator for the Middle East for more than three years. The State Department’s role as counterterrorism coordinator, leading efforts to combat terrorism abroad, has been vacant for two years.
Lew was questioned during his confirmation hearing about his role as Treasury secretary in the 2015 nuclear deal.
“I want to be clear: Iran is a threat to regional stability and to Israel’s existence,” he emphasized at the time.
Lew added that now is not the time to restart a nuclear deal with the country, which provides weapons and financing to Hamas.
“I deeply believe that an agreement not to have nuclear weapons would be a good thing. But now is not the time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces are pushing deeper into Gaza in its bloody campaign to root out Hamas and end its 16-year rule over the Palestinian territory, following an October 7 attack that killed some 1,400 Israelis.
Smoke rising from North Gaza on October 31, 2023, as seen from Sderot, Israel. As Israel’s response to Hamas’ attacks entered its fourth week on October 7
IDF ground troops and tanks operate in Gaza in undated footage. The images were released by IDF on Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a ceasefire as airstrikes land near hospitals where thousands of Palestinians are sheltering alongside the wounded. Tanks and other armored vehicles are pushing into the area and about 8,000 Gazans have been killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Hamas is believed to be holding about 240 prisoners. The militant group has released four hostages and said it will let the others go in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Congress is now under pressure to approve aid to Israel. The White House has asked for a $100 billion package that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
But the House has proposed a $14 billion bill that would only provide aid to Israel. That funding would be offset by drawing it from additional IRS funding that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Democrats.
The House bills are unlikely to find any enthusiasm in the Senate, but Speaker Mike Johnson has insisted that Israel’s funding must be offset and stand on its own.