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Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador to Israel signals sharp change – libs fret as many conservatives cheer

December 18, 2016 | | Print Article

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of David Friedman for U.S. ambassador to Israel signals an about-face in America’s policies toward the Jewish state.

“His strong relationships in Israel will form the foundation of his diplomatic mission and be a tremendous asset to our country as we strengthen the ties with our allies and strive for peace in the Middle East,” Trump said during the announcement.

Citing decades of violence, Friedman, a New York-based bankruptcy attorney, has challenged the wisdom of Israel’s two-state solution as a means of achieving peace with the Palestinians.

Friedman also supports moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from its present location in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel’s historic capital as well as what both countries agree is its spiritual capital.

Although both Republicans and Democrats alike have shown support on both issues, it’s not likely to win the hearts and minds of Arabs living in the region.

Friedman has criticized liberal Jews, especially the supporters of J-Street, a Washington-based non-profit advocacy group that promotes a two-state solution, and compared them to “kapos,” Jews who aided Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.

“They are far worse than kapos,” he wrote in June. “The kapos faced extraordinary cruelty and who knows what any of us would have done under those circumstances to save a loved one? But J Street? They are just smug advocates of Israel’s destruction delivered from the comfort of their secure American sofas – it’s hard to imagine anyone worse.”

The president-elect’s choice was hailed by Republicans here and conservatives in Israel — liberal media outlets and Democrats not so much. The New York Times predicted doom and gloom.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat and a Jew, also blasted Trump’s pick as a nominee as a threat to peace and security in the Middle East.

“Mr. Friedman’s radical hardline positions place him far outside the mainstream of both American and Israeli policy and of American Jewry,” Nadler said, according to The Hill. “His appointment is not only offensive to both American and Israeli Jews, it again signals the intent of Donald Trump and the Republicans who support him to align with extreme right-wing positions.”

Without surprise, J Street also denounced the appointment.

Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, used social media to take Friedman to task.

He also referred to the nominee as am “intolerant bigot” for his characterization of liberal Jews.

The appointment dismisses rumors that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a strong supporter of Israel, would be Trump’s pick for the position.

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Michael Dorstewitz
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