Democrats and Jewish groups welcome nomination of Nides for US ambassador to Israel

The nomination of Tom Nides as the US ambassador to Israel has been welcomed by Democrats and Jewish organisations who are hoping the diplomat will foster fresh US-Israel ties with a new Israeli government. 

Left-wing pro-Israel group J Street highlighted Nides' skills and said he has the experience needed to undertake the "highly sensitive and complex post".

Nides has experience in both the private and public sectors having worked at the top of Morgan Stanley and serving in the State Department under former President Barack Obama.

The CEO for Democratic Majority for Israel, Mark Mellman, also praised his character and the breadth of experience he holds. 

Congratulations to my good friend Tom Nides on his nomination to serve as US Ambassador to Israel! It will be one of the best jobs he’ll ever have, and he will do it with skill and charm. A great choice!

Plus he continues the Duluth, MN-Israel connection forged by @JulieFisher4.

— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) June 15, 2021

"His deep experience in the State Department, his outstanding diplomatic skills, broad policy knowledge, and his deep commitment to a strong US-Israel relationship make him a perfect choice to be America’s top diplomat in Israel," said Mellman.

Other groups jumped on the news to call for a renewed approach for the US in Israel, with the Israel Policy Forum calling for a swift conformation hearing, so that "this well-qualified nominee… can get to work on a realistic reset of American policy in this critical moment".

Following the previous administration's staunchly pro-Israeli stance, it is hoped that Nides will rebalance the approach with the progressive IfNotNow Movement urging the new ambassador to "forgo the business-as-usual approach to Israeli policies denying Palestinian rights - like settlement expansion, the blockade on Gaza and demolishing Palestinian homes - and work towards a just future".

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who represents Nides' home state of Minnesota, congratulated him adding that "now more than ever, we need an ambassador committed to fostering enduring peace and stability".

Nides previously fought against funding cuts for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, and the defunding of the UN cultural agency UNESCO, after it admitted Palestine as a member state.

Nides' role as US ambassador to Israel will need to be confirmed by the Senate, where the Democrats hold a slim majority.