Republicans express worry over Biden’s choice for Ambassador to Israel amidst Hamas attacks.
Republican Senators Express Concerns Over Biden’s Ambassador Nominee Amidst Hamas Attacks
Republican senators have voiced strong reservations regarding President Joe Biden’s selection for U.S. Ambassador to Israel, as the country continues to face relentless terrorist attacks from Hamas since October 7.
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on October 18, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew’s nomination was met with criticism from Republicans due to his support for the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, a known supporter of Hamas.
“Secretary Lew, I have reservations about your appointment as America’s ambassador to Israel,” stated Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the committee’s ranking member.
“Not only must you support Israel in response to these attacks, but also in its ongoing struggle against the existential Iranian threat,” expressed Senator Risch, highlighting the underlying issue.
“I have concerns about your ability to fulfill that role. Your involvement in supporting the Obama administration’s nuclear negotiations raises doubts,” he added.
Senator Risch further accused Mr. Lew of being dishonest or, at the very least, misleading the committee during his 2015 appearance by not being transparent about funds going to Iran, claiming that the money couldn’t be used for terrorist activities.
A bipartisan Senate report alleged that under Mr. Lew’s leadership, the Treasury Department facilitated the transfer of funds to Iran through intermediaries.
The United States withdrew from the Iran deal in 2018, reinstated lifted sanctions, and imposed new ones on Tehran.
Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) echoed Senator Risch’s concerns regarding Mr. Lew’s testimony.
Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) highlighted Mr. Lew’s role in implementing the Iran deal, which included providing sanctions relief to the Iranian regime.
Mr. Lew’s nomination was announced on September 5, and if confirmed, he would succeed Tom Nides, who concluded his ambassadorship on July 21.
In his testimony, Mr. Lew, an Orthodox Jew, expressed outrage over the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, which resulted in the highest number of Jewish casualties in a single day since the Holocaust.“I will do everything in my power to put an end to the horrific Hamas attacks and ensure Israel has the necessary means to defend itself. I will spare no effort in working towards the safe return of American citizens currently held captive. Additionally, I will strive to eliminate payments to terrorists and their families as rewards for their heinous crimes,” he testified.
“If confirmed, I will work to prevent other state or non-state actors from escalating this conflict to new fronts.
“Furthermore, I will collaborate with the international community to address the humanitarian crisis faced by innocent civilians in Gaza, who are being used as human shields by Hamas.”
In an attempt to address concerns about his stance on Iran, Mr. Lew emphasized that Iran poses a threat. He pledged to strengthen Israel’s security, its relationship with the United States, and combat anti-Semitism.
Mr. Lew also promised to bring back U.S. hostages, as it is believed that numerous American citizens are being held captive by Hamas. Over 4,500 people, including at least 31 Americans, have lost their lives in the recent wave of Hamas attacks on Israel.
He stated that the United States should not engage in negotiations with Iran at the moment, given the ongoing Hamas attacks, despite the potential benefits of such an agreement. In addition to hostage-taking, Hamas has launched rockets from Gaza and launched brutal attacks on Israeli civilians.
The attack on Israel held personal significance for Mr. Lew.
“I cannot recall a time when Israel’s security struggle was not at the forefront of my mind. I grew up in a family that embraced religious Zionism and labor Zionism,” he recalled, recounting his experience in a Washington synagogue during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where Israel successfully defended itself against a multi-front assault from neighboring nations.
What accusations has Senator Risch made against Mr. Lew regarding his transparency about funds going to Iran during his 2015 appearance
The start of the conflict. He emphasized the importance of standing firmly with Israel and working towards a lasting peace in the region.
However, Republican senators remain skeptical of Mr. Lew’s nomination. Their concerns stem from his support for the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, a country known for its support of Hamas. During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on October 18, these concerns were vocalized by Senator Jim Risch, the committee’s ranking member.
Senator Risch expressed reservations about Mr. Lew’s appointment as America’s ambassador to Israel, stating, “Not only must you support Israel in response to these attacks, but also in its ongoing struggle against the existential Iranian threat.” He further questioned Mr. Lew’s ability to fulfill the role due to his involvement in supporting the Obama administration’s nuclear negotiations.
The senator accused Mr. Lew of being dishonest or, at the very least, misleading the committee. He referred to Mr. Lew’s 2015 appearance, where he allegedly failed to be transparent about funds going to Iran and claimed that the money could not be used for terrorist activities. A bipartisan Senate report has since alleged that the Treasury Department, under Mr. Lew’s leadership
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