Senate Confirms Jack Lew as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, With Support From Only Two Republicans

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Jack Lew to be the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, as Congress prepares to debate 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.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the confirmation of Lew in a statement on the floor after the vote. “The Senate, I’m proud to say, has now taken an extremely important step in our support of Israel,” Schumer said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the two Republicans who voted in favor of Lew, said in a statement that while there are “legitimate concerns” about Lew, it is essential for there to be a U.S. ambassador in Israel right now.

“With Israel defending itself against Hamas, this ambassadorship is as important and timely as any nomination that the Senate has confirmed in a long time,” Graham said. “A vote for his confirmation was not something I took lightly, but given the circumstances, I believe it is the right decision.”

Lew, who served as Treasury Secretary under President Barack Obama, is expected to take up his post in Jerusalem soon. He will be the first U.S. ambassador to Israel since the Trump administration moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in 2018.