President Joe Biden's selection of Jacob J. Lew as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel has been warmly welcomed by Jewish organizations. Jack Lew, an orthodox Jew and the son of a Polish
immigrant, brings a distinguished background in both business and public service to this role, having previously served as Treasury Secretary under President Obama and as Special Assistant to President Clinton.
Lew currently holds the position of Board Chair at the National Committee on United States-China Relations, co-president of the National Library of Israel USA, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Ted Deutch, CEO of AJC, expressed enthusiasm for Biden's nomination, describing Jack Lew as an outstanding choice for the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Deutch looks forward to collaborating with Lew to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, promote Israel's global standing, deepen the Abraham Accords, and expand ties between Israel and the Arab world.
Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL Chief, expressed his delight in congratulating his friend Jack Lew on his nomination. He lauded Lew's intelligence, integrity, and commitment to advancing the U.S.-Israel relationship, believing that these qualities will serve him well in his new role.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, who Lew will succeed, commended the selection, stating that Lew's deep understanding of Washington and his long-standing friendship with Israel make him an excellent choice. Nides anticipates that Lew will be an exceptional ambassador.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also welcomed Lew's nomination, acknowledging him as a genuine friend of Israel. Cohen expressed the expectation of fruitful collaboration based on their shared values.
Jack Lew, at 68 years old, will assume the ambassadorial role during a period of considerable complexity in U.S.-Israel relations. The Biden administration has recently issued unprecedented criticisms of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, particularly regarding judicial reforms. Lew will play a significant role in addressing these challenges and assisting with the administration's efforts to foster normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Photo by U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Wikimedia commons.