POMED Notes: “Confirmation Hearings for the Ambassadors-designate to Israel, Jordan, and Algeria”

On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held confirmation hearings for the ambassadors-designate to Israel, Jordan, and Algeria. Senator Robert P. Casey (D-PA) chaired the committee hearing, Senators James Risch (R-ID) and Mike Lee (R-UT) were also present. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) testified on behalf of Dan Shapiro, ambassador-designate to Israel. The ambassador-designate to Jordan is Stuart Jones. The ambassador-designate to Algeria is Henry S. Ensher.

For full notes, continue below.  For pdf version, click here.

Senator Robert Casey forewent his opening remarks and allowed Senator Bill Nelson to testify on behalf of Dan Shapiro. Senator Nelson highlighted Mr. Shapiro’s work on his staff and called him an “extraordinary individual” and a “walking encyclopedia,” particularly on Middle East issues. Nelson also highlighted Shapiro’s fluent language skills in Hebrew and Arabic. He said that he believed that Shapiro was fully able to put U.S. national interests above interest groups seeking to affect U.S. foreign policy and urged the committee to proceed with his nomination process expeditiously.

Senator Joe Lieberman also called Dan Shapiro’s nomination a “superb appointment” and highlighted the nomination’s support from a variety of organizations from Americans for Peace Now to the Zionist Organization of America. He said that Shapiro’s appointment would be a guarantee of deep trust between the government of the United States and Israel and he highlighted the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security. Senator Casey confirmed that U.S. support for Israel is a cornerstone of American policy in the region and that the both countries had an “unbreakable and unshakeable” bond which was increasingly important in light of the recent revolution in Egypt along with violence in Libya, Syria, Bahrain, and Yemen. Casey called for the U.S. to continue and ensure support for Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East and highlighted the success of Israel’s anti-missile defense system, Iron Dome. Casey also called on increased pressure on the Iranian regime to limit its influence and said that the new Palestinian unity deal was a serious concern to the peace process. Casey reiterated that Hamas was a designated terrorist organization and that its role in the Palestinian government would only delay the peace process.

Dan Shapiro submitted his statement for the record and made brief remarks about his time spent in Israel as a child and his deep understanding of Israel’s security needs and concerns vis-à-vis Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, and attempt to delegitimize Israel’s existence. He reiterated the U.S. defense of Israel at the United Nations and opposition to anti-Israel resolutions at U.N. bodies, particularly following the Goldstone Report which he called “deeply flawed.” He also reiterated President Obama’s continued commitment to the two-state solution and the peace process, along with maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. He called Israel America’s most dependent ally in the Middle East and said that the U.S. would remain opposed to unilateral moves that did not include a negotiated settlement to the peace process.

Senator Casey called Jordan an important ally in the peace process and highlighted King Abdullah II’s cooperation with the U.S. on counter-terrorism efforts. He also noted the recent protests in Jordan and the increasing public criticism of the monarchy; he called for the U.S. to balance support for political and economic reforms with political stability in the country. Ambassador-designate Stuart Jones highlighted Jordan’s role as one of the U.S.’s most important Arab allies and called the kingdom a “powerful agent for peace.” He also highlighted Jordan’s role on Iraq, hosting tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees on its territory. He praised King Abdullah II for undertaking important reforms and called him a “leader who has long listened to his people.” He highlighted Jordanian elections in November 2010 and said that they were “free and fair” and met international standards of elections observers. Jones said the U.S. has welcomed the new Jordanian government with its new reform mandate. He also highlighted U.S. economic assistance to Jordan through the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the water-management program in Zarqa. Jones said that U.S. assistance to Jordan helps contribute to counter-terrorism efforts and strengthens the peace process.

Senator Casey, speaking on the Palestinian reconciliation deal, said that Hamas’s participation was dependent on its acceptance of Quartet demands; mainly that the group renounce violence and recognize Israel. He expressed deep concern over the Hamas-Fatah deal. Shapiro responded that the details of the exact deal remain uncertain and that the U.S. would maintain close consultations with the Israeli government on how to proceed once those details became public. He said that Palestinian reconciliation must take place in a manner that aids the peace process. He also said that President Obama was determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and supported the international sanctions in place against Iran. In response to Senator Risch, Shapiro said it was difficult to determine what the outcome of reconciliation would be but that the administration hoped that Gazans would look to emulate the West Bank in building institutions and improving governance.

In speaking on protests in Syria and the effects on Jordan, Jones called the protests in the country relatively minor and said there was a different relationship between the protesters and security forces in Jordan than in Syria. He said the situation in Jordan was “quite distinct” from Syria.

Answering a question from Senator Lee, Shapiro said that withholding aid to the PA or Egypt would depend entirely on the emerging details of the Palestinian reconciliation deal. He confirmed that the administration would remain compliant with federal law on aid disbursement and reiterated that Egypt must maintain the peace treaty with Israel.

Jones reiterated that economic support funds for Jordan were vital to helping political reforms in the country as it would help the government with structural problems. He again highlighted the $275 million in grant aid to Jordan through the MCC for resource management projects.

Casey turned to Algeria, highlighting the country’s activity in the African Union (AU) and the recently formed U.S.-Algeria bilateral Counterterrorism Contact Group. Given the operations of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Casey said Algeria was an important counterterrorism partner. Casey said the protests in Algeria have been limited and he welcomed the government’s lifting of the emergency law, but said that continued human rights abuses; in particular prisoner abuse and violence against women were a concern. Henry Ensher highlighted Algeria’s cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism and reiterated that Algeria was the first Arab government to extend condolences to the U.S. on 9/11.

Ensher also highlighted the existence of MEPI (Middle East Partnership Initiative) programs that allow the U.S. to help aid Algerian civil society capacities.