The US Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s choice for ambassador to Israel on Wednesday, making banking executive Thomas Nides the US’ highest diplomat to the Middle East’s closest ally.

Nides, Morgan Stanley’s managing director and vice chairman, was confirmed by voice vote in the Senate, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

Nides has previously held prominent roles at other big banks, and from 2010 to 2013, he was the deputy secretary of state for management and resources.

He is one of only a handful of Biden’s picks to be confirmed to ambassadorial posts as Republicans in the deeply divided U.S. Senate have slowed many of his nominees for top positions.