Senate Democrats renew push to confirm EMPTY US ambassador position amid attack on Israel

Democrats have stepped up their push to install a US ambassador to Israel “at a moment’s notice” after Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on civilians and military personnel over the weekend.

President Joe Biden nominated Jack Lew in early September, and key senators said they would act to block his nomination in protest of the administration’s Israel policy.

The issue took on added urgency on Saturday when Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel and sent hundreds of gunmen on a killing spree.

Sen. Ben Cardin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said it was vital that the US stand with Israel.

“Right now, it is as critical as ever to have a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Israel,” he said hours after the Hamas offensive began. “That’s why I hope my colleagues will join me in immediately confirming Secretary Jacob J. Lew as the new US ambassador to Israel.”

Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was nominated by President Joe Biden as his ambassador to Israel in early September. Democrats are stepping up their confirmation push

Israeli warplanes continued to pound Gaza on Monday in retaliation for Hamas attacks

He also promised to prioritize sending more resources to Israel, including support for the Iron Dome missile defense system.

Senator Chris Murphy offered his immediate support.

“I spoke to the President @SenatorCardin tonight,” he posted on X.

“We both agree that we should move the nomination of Jack Lew for ambassador to Israel as the first order of business for the Senate when we reconvene.”

And Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, told Politico, “We should do that right away, and we also need to confirm a chief of Naval Operations.”

The Senate is in recess until next week. And the House is without a speaker, leaving Congress unable to move quickly on providing additional support to Israel.

At the same time, Senator Tommy Tuberville blocks all military nominations before the Senate in protest of the administration’s policies.

However, Senate Democrats have the power to unilaterally move nominees under the law.

At least nine Americans were killed in Israel, the State Department confirmed, after Hamas launched a multi-pronged attack on the Jewish state on Saturday. Photo: Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists into the Gaza Strip on Monday, October 9

Hamas terrorist launched a massive attack on Israel on Saturday. Photo: Rescue workers gather in front of an Israeli police station in Sderot after it was damaged in fighting to launch Hamas fighters stationed inside on Sunday, October 8

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz initially opposed his confirmation to the position.

Even before he was named to replace Ambassador Tom Nides, Republicans voiced their opposition. About 31 US representatives sent a letter to Biden outlining their reservations.

“At a time when we should be working to strengthen the US-Israel relationship, this nomination has the potential to strain relations with our strongest ally and the only democracy in the Middle East,” he says.

“We strongly urge you to ensure that any nominee to become US Ambassador to Israel can and will improve relations between our two countries.”

They pointed to his involvement in the development of the Iran nuclear deal, which was later tabled by President Donald Trump, and criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The State Department announced Monday that nine Americans were among those killed over the weekend.

Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, told CBS News during an interview Sunday that American citizens were among the hostages taken by Hamas.

At least 700 people were killed in Israel and more than 400 were killed in Gaza, more than two days after the militant group launched its unprecedented attack.