Senate panel OKs Lew to be ambassador to Israel, and a final confirmation vote could come next week

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved Jacob Lew to be ambassador to Israel, moving quickly to get him in place during Israel’s war with Hamas. The panel voted 12-9 on Wednesday to move Lew’s nomination to the Senate floor for a final vote as soon as next week. All Republicans on the panel except Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul voted against Lew. Lew told the committee at his confirmation vote last week “there is no greater mission” at this moment than to help strengthen ties between the United States and Israel. Lew is a former treasury secretary and budget director under President Barack Obama.