Free Republic

Vice President Mike Pence’s address to the Knesset Monday afternoon, the first by a senior American official in a decade, was praised by a number of Israeli officials from across the political spectrum, who noted the Vice President’s pledge to bar Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and a time-table for the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, however, expressed a more personal reaction to the speech, saying that he had been so touched by it as to have been moved to tears.

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman recently asked the State Department to cease using the term 'occupation' to describe Israel's presence in Judea, Samaria, and eastern Jerusalem, according a report by Kan, the Israel Broadcasting Corporation. According to the report, the State Department objected to the request, but eventually agreed to discuss the matter. Ambassador Friedman described Judea and Samaria as being under an "alleged occupation" in an interview with the Jerusalem Post in September. Later that month, he stated that he believes Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are part of Israel. “I think the settlements are part of...

Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Rivlin attend Fourth of July reception at the home of Ambassador David Friedman. President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu both participated on Monday evening in the Fourth of July celebration at the home of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. The President thanked the Ambassador for his hospitality and expressed his warm wishes to President Trump and all the American people. He extended the special wishes of his wife, Nechama, to First Lady Melania Trump.

The new US Ambassador to Israel under President Donald Trump will reside and work in Jerusalem, even if the embassy is still officially in Tel Aviv. David Friedman is yet to receive Senate approval for his new posting, but has already confirmed that he’ll spend most of his time in Israel’s real capital.

What is significant about Trump’s appointment of Friedman? It’s an earlier appointment than usual, and symbolic. As president, Obama’s first trip was his apology tour to Arab nations. As President-elect, Trump’s first ambassador appointment is to Israel. But expect a confirmation battle led by the Jewish Left to include a long line of retired State Department Arabists. Mainstream media will oppose Friedman as a diplomatic disaster. Pat Buchanan will denounce the nomination as Trump’s first major blunder that could trigger a new war, an aim of “neo-conservatives who did not even back Trump and want wars with Iran and Russia.”...

President-elect to nominate attorney David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Friedman: I look forward to serving from Jerusalem. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will nominate attorney David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel, the transition team said in a statement on Thursday, according to Reuters. Friedman served as Trump’s advisor on Israel affairs during the election campaign. "(Friedman) has been a long-time friend and trusted advisor to me. 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...

President-elect Donald J. Trump on Thursday named David Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer aligned with the Israeli far right, as his nominee for ambassador to Israel, elevating a campaign adviser who has questioned the need for a two-state solution and has likened left-leaning Jews in America to the Jews who aided the Nazis in the Holocaust.

<p>WASHINGTON - At least 80 wealthy liberals have pledged to contribute at least $1 million each to fund a network of think tanks and advocacy groups, to compete with the potent conservative infrastructure built up during the last three decades.</p>

<p>Two Kentucky fiscal courts recently lost another round with the latest federal court ruling regarding Ten Commandment displays in government buildings.</p> <p>In a Dec. 18 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an earlier court decision demanding Decalogue displays in McCreary and Pulaski courthouses and a Harlan County school be removed.</p>