Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew affirms before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee verification hearing on his election to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., onOct 18, 2023.
Leah Millis|Reuters
WASHINGTON–Former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was validated by the Senate Tuesday to act as President Joe Biden’s ambassador to Israel at an important time for the long-lasting U.S.-Israel alliance.
Lew, 68, worked as treasury secretary in the Obama administration, and as White House budget plan director in 2 Democratic administrations.
A lot has actually altered in Israel in the almost 2 months given that Biden chosen Lew onSept 5. A surprise attack by HamasOct 7 left more than 1,400 individuals dead in Israel, almost all of them civilians.
In reaction, Israel promised to damage the militant group. Over the previous 3 weeks, Gaza has actually been under near continuous air campaign by the Israeli military.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reports more than 8,000 individuals have actually been eliminated in Gaza given that the start of the Hamas-IsraelWar Earlier today, Israel started a brand-new stage in its military operation, a ground offensive into Gaza.
Speaking at his Senate verification hearingOct 18, Lew stated Israel’s security was a “paramount” issue for the UnitedStates
“I will do my utmost to end the horrific attacks by Hamas and to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself,” he informed the senators, “and I will spare no effort in working to help American citizens now captive to return home safely.”
The United States has actually lacked a Senate- validated ambassador to Israel given that July, when Tom Nides left the post. Stephanie Hallett, a profession diplomat, has actually served in the interim.
