US Senate committee advances nomination of Jack Lew for ambassador to Israel

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has supported President Joe Biden’s nomination of Jack Lew as ambassador to Israel. The nomination was backed by a 12-9 vote, mostly along party lines. Lew’s confirmation is expected as Democrats control a majority in the Senate. Some Republicans criticized Lew for his defense of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Democrats argue that it is crucial to confirm an ambassador to support Israel in the aftermath of the recent attack by Hamas. The last ambassador to Israel left the post in July.