GOP to examine Biden’s Israel policy in ambassador’s hearings.
Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew Nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Israel
President Joe Biden has chosen former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew as his top pick for the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. This nomination is expected to ignite a heated Senate confirmation battle in the lead-up to the upcoming election year.
While the final decision has not been made, Lew is currently the sole candidate undergoing vetting. Axios reports that Biden intends to announce the nomination in the coming weeks, as the administration aims to swiftly fill the post due to a significant diplomatic deal with Saudi Arabia, which may include a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Delicate Political Situation
Former Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides recently vacated the position, leaving Deputy Ambassador Stephanie Hallett in charge of the embassy. Nides had announced his departure plans at the beginning of May.
The successor to Nides will face the challenge of navigating a delicate political situation, as they manage the relationship between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This appointment comes at a time when tensions between the U.S. and Israel are rising due to ideological differences between Netanyahu’s far-right government and the Biden administration.
Lew’s Background and Potential Challenges
Lew, an Orthodox Jew, previously served as former President Barack Obama’s chief of staff and treasury secretary. He has been involved in Israel-related issues and played a role in assisting Obama with security assistance to the country. Additionally, Lew was instrumental in crafting and enforcing the Iran nuclear deal during the Obama years, a point that may prove contentious for some GOP senators.
Regardless of Biden’s choice, any nominee can expect resistance from Senate Republicans who have been critical of the administration’s Israel policies. The appointee will also face a complex political environment as Netanyahu implements a judicial system overhaul opposed by the Biden administration and some Israelis, which Republicans are likely to seize upon during the confirmation process.
“A nominee like Lew should anticipate scrutiny of every foreign policy decision made during his tenure in the previous administration,” said a Senate Republican aide, speaking anonymously to provide candid insight into the situation.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Tim Scott (R-SC), members of the Foreign Relations Committee, have been vocal critics of the Biden administration’s Israel and Iran policies. They are likely to highlight Lew’s involvement in the 2015 Iran Nuclear deal, which may reignite criticism of the administration’s recent $10 billion payment to secure the release of five U.S. citizens from Iran.
Ensuring a timely confirmation for Lew may prove challenging due to the Senate’s need to pass several crucial bills upon their return from the August recess. The upper chamber’s focus will be on clearing appropriations bills before a potential government shutdown at the end of September.
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