- President Joe Biden nominated former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to serve as ambassador to Israel.
- Lew's nomination comes during a period of strained relations between the U.S. and Israel.
- It also comes as the Biden administration seeks to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden nominated former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on Tuesday to serve as ambassador to Israel.
Lew, 68, served as treasury secretary between 2013 and 2017. He was also the White House budget director and later chief of staff during the Obama administration, and previously, budget director during the Clinton administration. If confirmed, he will succeed Tom Nides, who departed the post in July.
A veteran of two presidential administrations, Lew has spoken about the challenge of balancing his observance of Orthodox Judaism with incredibly demanding White House jobs.
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He has also played key role in devising sanctions that were part of the Iran nuclear deal during the Obama administration, the signature Middle East policy of Obama's presidency. Lew was also tapped to explain White House Iran policy to the Jewish community, where he was frequently met with opposition.
Lew's nomination comes during a period of strained relations between the U.S. and Israel after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul this summer, a move that led to months of protests.
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Biden has called the plan to take power away from the courts "divisive" but has stressed that his administration will continue to be an ally to the country.
It also comes as the Biden administration seeks to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include additional background on Lew's role in Middle East policy.
