US President Joe Biden on Tuesday nominated former Treasury secretary Jack Lew to be ambassador to Israel, tapping a veteran political player with close ties to the Jewish state at a turbulent time between the allies.
Mr Lew, an Orthodox Jew who observes the weekly sabbath, will play a key role in managing the relationship as Mr Biden attempts to broker a potentially historic deal for Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel.
The nomination comes after a spike in tensions, with Mr Biden criticizing an overhaul of the judiciary by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what critics say is a threat to democracy by the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. Mr Lew will need confirmation from the Senate, where Mr Biden’s Democratic Party retains control but Republicans ahead of the 2024 US election could fight against the nomination.
In a formal statement, the White House cited the “distinguished career in public service” of Mr Lew, who has served in successive Democrat administrations.
Under Barack Obama, Mr Lew – a trained lawyer – served as Treasury secretary and earlier as White House chief of staff and director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Read the article by Shaun Tandon in The Australian.