Ranking member Shaheen opening remarks at Nominations Hearing for key State Department positions

Shaheen slams nomination of Amer Ghalib as Ambassador to Kuwait over his remarks regarding pro-Israeli exaggerations and propaganda regarding the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

WASHINGTON – Today, Thursday Oct. 23, 2025, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks at a committee hearing on the nominations of Amer Ghalib to be Ambassador to Kuwait, Brent Christensen to be Ambassador to Bangladesh, Benjamin Leon to be Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Leo Brent Bozell to be Ambassador to South Africa and Morvared Namdarkhan to be Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.

In her remarks, Ranking Member Shaheen expressed concerns about the Administration’s handling of its relationship with South Africa and the broader implications for countering China, especially as Beijing seeks to deepen and expand influence.

You can watch her opening remarks here.

“I don’t share this Administration’s view that South Africa has committed genocide against white Afrikaners,” said Ranking Member Shaheen.

“I think this is a dangerous slope, and I think this kind of attack only helps spread anti-American sentiment and promotes China and makes our country less safe. We need strong relationships with our allies and partners to confront the PRC to build economic prosperity and to strengthen trade ties.”

Ranking Member Shaheen also raised concerns about statements made by Amer Ghalib, the nominee to be Ambassador to Kuwait.

“Mr. Ghalib, I must say I have grave concerns about some of the statements that you have made, particularly those that seem to justify the October 7th attack against Israel,” said Ranking Member Shaheen.

“Local reporting quotes you as saying that reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7th were “lies and deception.” I can tell you I have seen video and I am very clear that those were not “lies and deception.” I find the statement offensive, if true, and I’m sure that many of my colleagues here today, some of whom have traveled to Israel in the wake of the attacks, would agree. Today, I expect to hear from you an unequivocal condemnation of the horrific crimes committed on October the 7th.”

Ranking Member Shaheen also addressed the importance of the nominations under consideration.

“I am pleased to see that we have a career Foreign Service Officer on today’s panel who is prepared to serve in Bangladesh at a time when the U.S. needs democratic partners in Southeast Asia,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “Along with nominees to Kuwait, an essential partner in the Middle East, to Spain, an important NATO ally, to South Africa, a crucial partner on trade and foreign policy and to the Consular Affairs Bureau at the State Department.”

The Ranking Member’s remarks, as delivered, are below.

Thank you to all our nominees. Congratulations on your nominations and thank you to your families and friends who are here to support you today.

This committee is considering five nominations today. These will be the first since the government shutdown and I just want to make clear, Mr. Chairman, that I hope the State Department will provide Congress not just with nominations as we move forward, but also with witnesses for hearings and briefings and that they will respond to our requests for information because I am also on the Armed Services Committee and the entire legislative affairs operation at the Pentagon is fully staffed, while over 90% remains furloughed at the State Department. So, I hope we can get the government open shortly but I also hope that State will be responsive. […]

I am pleased to see that we have a career Foreign Service Officer on today’s panel who is prepared to serve in Bangladesh at a time when the U.S. needs democratic partners in Southeast Asia. Along with nominees to Kuwait, an essential partner in the Middle East, to Spain, an important NATO ally, to South Africa, a crucial partner on trade and foreign policy and to the Consular Affairs Bureau at the State Department.

Consular Affairs is perhaps one of the most important roles in the Department, as you will assist members of Congress in advocating for our constituents, as well as others, obviously, who contact the State Department. Ms. Namdar, I hope this Committee can rely on you to maintain strong lines of communication with us if we have constituents who need assistance, whether that is a lost passport, visa adjudications, international child custody disputes, international adoptions or support in emergency situations. And I will just tell you I have had all of those examples in my office, but we will turn to you for information and assistance in resolving these kinds of challenges.

Mr. Bozell, as the Chairman indicated, our relationship with South Africa is at a challenging inflection point. I don’t share this Administration’s view that South Africa has committed genocide against white Afrikaners. I think this is a dangerous slope, and I think this kind of attack only helps spread anti-American sentiment and promotes China and makes our country less safe. We need strong relationships with our allies and partners to confront the PRC to build economic prosperity and to strengthen trade ties.

Mr. Ghalib, I must say I have grave concerns about some of the statements that you have made, particularly those that seem to justify the October 7th attack against Israel. Local reporting quotes you as saying that reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7th were “lies and deception.” I can tell you I have seen video, and I am very clear that those were not “lies and deception.” I find the statement offensive, if true, and I’m sure that many of my colleagues here today, some of whom have traveled to Israel in the wake of the attacks, would agree. Today, I expect to hear from you an unequivocal condemnation of the horrific crimes committed on October the 7th.

Mr. Leon, Spain is an important NATO ally and a bilateral partner for the U.S. So today, I hope you’ll address how you plan to foster that partnership, if confirmed.

And finally, Mr. Christensen, Bangladesh is a country undergoing immense change and I am pleased that you’ve served in the Indo-Pacific region before and, in fact, that you have served in Bangladesh before. Your knowledge and expertise will be essential in helping us address regional security and migration issues.

So again, thank you again to all of our nominees. I look forward to hearing from you today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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