The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday approved President Trump’s choice for ambassador to Israel, over the opposition of most Democrats.
The committee approved attorney David Friedman in a 12-9 vote, which sends the nomination to the Senate floor.
All 11 Republicans voted for Friedman, and were joined by just one Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. The committee’s other nine Democrats voted against Friedman.
“Following extensive consideration of Mr. Friedman’s record and taking into account his statements during his nomination hearing, I have concluded that his past record would make it very difficult for him to serve as that unifying force,” stated the committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland.
“I appreciate Mr. Friedman’s efforts before the committee to express regret for his record of divisive, inflammatory, and offensive statements,” Cardin continued. “Unfortunately, I believe that the body of Mr. Friedman’s published work will compromise his effectiveness representing the United States — and all Americans — to the government of Israel and all Israelis.”
Friedman opposes the “two-state” solution, the plan of peaceful forming a Palestinian state next to Israel that has long been official U.S. policy — and is opposed by prominent American Jews and Jewish groups, such as the influential J Street advocacy organization.
