Israel thanks Friedman, Trump’s man in Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bid farewell to outgoing US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman during the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday. A replacement for Friedman, a Five Towns resident appointed by Trump who helped facilitate many of the administration’s pro-Israel policies, has not yet been named by President Joe Biden.

“Over the years, I have met many ambassadors from many countries, including from the US, our great ally, but there was never a better ambassador than David Friedman in establishing the deep ties between Israel and the US; in correcting the diplomatic injustices that were created over the years in global diplomacy regarding Israel, and in establishing the status of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and many other things some of which have yet to be told.”

Among the major diplomatic achievements that Friedman helped facilitate was the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Other achievements noted by Netanyahu include American recognition of sovereignty in the Golan Heights, and changing longheld US policy which had opposed Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria as a violation of international law.

Netanyahu thanked the Friedman team’s efforts to reach peace with Arab countries, including four agreements in the last four months “as well as those that will come afterward.”

referring to the Abraham Accords.

“This was a great effort that is good for US relations, good for Israel and good for peace. For all these David, thank you very much.” —JNS