WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In a display of party-line politics, the U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to support President Joe Biden’s nominee, former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, despite objections from Republican lawmakers regarding his past dealings with Iran.
The Senate’s vote, with a tally of 53 to 43, saw Democrats backing Lew and most Republicans opposing his nomination. Despite opposition, Lew only needed a simple majority in the 100-member Senate to secure confirmation.
Following the recent attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas militants, Democrats pushed for a quick resolution in filling the vacancy at the Israeli embassy.
Lew faced sharp criticism from Republicans due to his involvement in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during former Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration. Republicans disapproved of Lew’s work as part of Obama’s cabinet, which implemented an agreement with a country that is openly hostile towards Israel.
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, chair of the foreign relations panel, defended Lew’s nomination by highlighting his qualifications and emphasizing Israel’s welcoming response to the appointment.
However, top Republican Senator Jim Risch, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged his colleagues to vote against Lew’s confirmation. Risch expressed concerns about Lew’s handling of Iran-related matters and accused him of granting access to U.S. financial markets, calling Lew’s selection “very disappointing.”
It is worth noting that both Republicans and some Democrats expressed objections to the international nuclear agreement with Iran, in which Iran agreed to halt its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Former Republican President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the pact in 2018.
Since July, the U.S. has not had an ambassador to Israel. President Biden nominated Lew for the position in September.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by David Gregorio)
