November 1, 2023
With everything happening in Israel right now, confirming Jack Lew at this moment will be one of the most important and consequential nomination votes the Senate has taken in a long time.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ahead of Tuesday’s Senate vote that confirmed Jack Lew as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. Lew served as the former Treasury Secretary and White House Chief of Staff under the Obama administration.
Why It Matters: Pres. Biden nominated Lew, an Orthodox Jew, in early September, but efforts to solidify his role as ambassador to Israel ramped up when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7; his confirmation comes as the U.S. prepares for what could potentially become a broader conflict in the Middle East. While Lew received the necessary votes for the position, the Senate voted 53-43 – largely along party lines with only two Republicans in favor of confirming Lew. Opposition stemmed from his role in helping implement the 2015 Iran nuclear pact under the Obama administration.
The U.S. has not had an ambassador to Israel since former ambassador Tom Nides left the position in July.
Read More:
Senate Confirms Lew as U.S. Ambassador to Israel (The New York Times)
Senate confirms Jack Lew as U.S. ambassador to Israel (Axios)
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
