Biden selects ex-Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew as Israel’s Ambassador.
President Joe Biden Nominates Jacob Lew as U.S. Ambassador to Israel
President Joe Biden has announced his nomination of former Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. If confirmed by the Senate, Lew will take on the role amid a politically complicated U.S.–Israel relationship.
Lew, a New York attorney who previously served as Treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, would succeed Ambassador Tom Nides. Nides bid farewell to the position over the summer after serving for two years.
“Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Jacob J. Lew to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Israel,” the White House said in a statement.
Challenges and Opportunities
The nomination comes at a critical time as the Biden administration faces challenges in the U.S.–Israel relationship. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is pushing for a judicial overhaul that the Biden administration opposes.
Furthermore, the United States is working towards securing diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, two major Middle East powers and longtime rivals. A formal normalization agreement between the two countries could have significant regional implications. However, achieving such a deal is complex, as Saudi Arabia has stated that it will not officially recognize Israel until there is a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Trump administration previously facilitated the “Abraham Accords,” which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.
Support and Opposition
Lew’s nomination has received mixed reactions, with some Republicans expressing concern about his appointment as envoy to Israel. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) wrote a letter to President Biden, urging him to reconsider the nomination and emphasizing the need for an ambassador who can strengthen the bond between the United States and Israel.
The joint letter, signed by eight members of Congress, highlighted concerns about Lew’s support for the Iran nuclear deal, which was terminated by President Trump in 2018.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, on the other hand, congratulated Lew on his appointment and expressed eagerness to work together.
Experience and Expertise
Jacob Lew currently serves as a managing partner at private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg and a visiting professor at Columbia University. He brings extensive experience in international relations and has held various leadership positions, including chairman of the board of the National Committee on United States-China Relations and co-president of the board of the National Library of Israel USA.
As the nomination process unfolds, Lew’s expertise and understanding of the intricacies of international relations will be crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities in the U.S.–Israel relationship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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