- US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman
The Senate on Thursday confirmed David M. Friedman to be the next ambassador to Israel, making him the first of President Trump’s selected foreign emissaries to take his post.
Friedman earned the support of only two Democrats in the 52-46 vote: Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). No Republicans opposed him.
Republican support for Friedman was a sure thing despite a rocky confirmation hearing last month, punctuated not only by protesters critical of his statements opposing a Palestinian state and supporting Jewish settlements in the West Bank, but also by Democratic senators concerned about the harsh rhetoric he has used to attack politicians whose Israel policy differs from his.