Cruz ends hold on State Department nominees over 36-hour FAA flight ban to Israel

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is no longer blocking confirmation of a series of ambassadorial and other diplomatic nominees over the Federal Aviation Administration's 36-hour ban on U.S. airline flights to Israel.

Cruz said in a statement Monday that he received a briefing from FAA officials, who responded to his questions about the prohibition.

The FAA banned flights after a rocket landed about a mile from the Tel Aviv airport. Cruz accused President Barack Obama of imposing an economic boycott of Israel while it is fighting the militant group Hamas in Gaza.

The State Department had described Cruz' comments as offensive and ridiculous.

Cruz said he hoped the administration would not repeat its actions.