Jack Lew, the outgoing US Ambassador to Israel, has expressed that the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration have worked hand in hand to promote the urgency of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release agreement. Their cooperation has swiftly led to significant progress in the negotiation of the agreements.
In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Lew acknowledged the progress made in reaching the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement. He made these comments after serving as the US Ambassador to Israel for 15 months under the Biden administration.
Lew stated, “I believe significant progress has been made. I think everyone recognizes the fact that the outgoing and incoming governments working together provides a compelling reason for the urgency.” He praised current President Biden for dedicating a significant amount of time in the final days of his term to achieve this agreement and welcomed the participation of President-elect Trump. Trump had previously mentioned that unless Hamas released hostages before his inauguration on January 20th, they would face significant consequences.
The 69-year-old Lew, a seasoned American politician and a member of the Democratic Party, mentioned that the bipartisan cooperation between the US parties began after Republican Trump was elected president two months ago. He emphasized that a “friendly transition” and a constructive handover are in the best interests of the United States.
As Trump returns to the White House next Monday, Lew will pass on his ambassadorial duties to Mike Huckabee, a Baptist pastor and former governor of Arkansas, marking the end of his term.
Lew’s tenure as the US Ambassador to Israel has been marked by turmoil in the Middle East. The assault by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered the Gaza War.
Despite serious political disagreements between Biden and Trump, the Special Presidential Envoys for Middle East Peace in Trump’s new administration, Steven Witkoff, and in Biden’s administration, Brett McGurk, have collaborated. Together with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, they have worked towards achieving a long-awaited ceasefire agreement, which includes the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.