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The washington Post: Jack Lew, President Biden’s nominee for the U.S. ambassador to Israel, faced strong opposition from Republican senators during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. The main points of contention revolved around Lew’s past support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which some Republicans vehemently opposed, and related efforts to ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran during the Obama administration.
Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat and the committee’s chairman, emphasized the need for a speedy confirmation in light of the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza. However, Senator James E. Risch, the committee’s top Republican, expressed reservations about Lew’s appointment, citing accusations that Lew had lied to Congress about the Iran negotiations.
Other Republican senators, including Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney, also raised concerns about Lew’s suitability for the ambassadorial post due to his past statements on Iran. Senator Pete Ricketts went so far as to call confirming Lew as ambassador “a slap in the face to Israel.”
Lew defended his actions during the Iran negotiations, stating that he had only implemented the letter of the nuclear deal and had not lifted sanctions related to terrorism, human rights violations, or regional destabilization. The landmark nuclear deal saw Iran scale back its uranium enrichment in exchange for the loosening of U.S. sanctions. However, President Donald Trump later withdrew from the agreement, leading to Iran’s resumption of uranium enrichment.
Throughout the hearing, there was little focus on Israel’s role in the ongoing conflict, and much of the questioning centered on the Iran deal, Lew’s statements on Iran, and his support for Israel’s security. Lew, who has extensive experience in government, including serving as Treasury Secretary and Chief of Staff under President Obama, reassured senators of his commitment to defending Israel’s security.
In summary, the hearing for Jack Lew’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to Israel was marked by strong opposition from Republican senators, primarily related to his involvement in the Iran nuclear deal and his support for Israel’s security. Democratic Chairman Ben Cardin expressed confidence in Lew’s eventual confirmation by the Democratic-led Senate.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/10/18/jack-lew-israel-ambassador-hearing/
