WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Jack Lew to be the new U.S. ambassador to Israel as Congress gears up for a fight over how to provide funding to support Israel in its war against Hamas.
The vote was 53-43 with support from only two Republicans: Sens. Rand Paul, of Kentucky, and Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina. No members of the Democratic Caucus voted against him. In a statement defending his vote, Graham said that while there are “legitimate concerns” about Lew, it’s essential for there to be a U.S. ambassador in Israel right now.
“The leaders I spoke with in the Israeli government both knew and were comfortable with Mr. Lew serving in this position,” he said. “A vote for his confirmation was not something I took lightly, but given the circumstances, I believe it is the right call.”
Lew, 68, had been expected to receive widespread support from Senate Democrats, but it was unclear how many Republicans he could win over. He needed only a simple majority to be confirmed.
The U.S. has not had a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Israel since Tom Nides left the administration in July. Stephanie Hallett, a career diplomat, has been the top official at the U.S. Embassy in the interim.
Congress is soon expected to take up legislation that would provide billions of dollars to Israel. The White House has asked Congress to pass a broader package that includes both aid to Israel and Ukraine, but Republicans in the House oppose combining funding to both countries in the…
