U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Mr David Friedman to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Trump’s Transition Team has said.
Friedman, a renowned attorney who had been Counselor to some of the world’s top businessmen and companies, was one of the President-elect’s principal advisors on the U.S.-Israel relationship during the campaign.
The statement read: “When Israel proclaimed itself an independent republic in 1948, the U.S. was the first country to extend formal recognition of the new government.
“From that moment forward, the two nations have enjoyed a special relationship based on mutual respect and a dedication to freedom and democracy.
“With Friedman’s nomination, President-elect Trump expressed his commitment to further enhancing the US-Israel relationship and ensuring there will be extraordinary strategic, technological, military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.”
The statement quoted Trump as saying: “The bond between Israel and the U.S. runs deep, and I will ensure there is no daylight between us when I’m President.
“As the U. S.’ Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman will maintain the special relationship between our two countries.
“He 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 peace in the Middle East.
“Nothing is more critical than protecting the security of our citizens at home and abroad.”
The statement added that “Friedman, whose bar mitzvah was held at the Western Wall in Jerusalem 45 years ago, is a fluent speaker of Hebrew and a lifelong student of Israel’s history.
“On Thursday, he expressed his resolve to be a rock-solid partner with the Israeli leadership as our two countries seek to advance our mutual interests and keep our people safe”.
The statement quoted Friedman as saying: “I am deeply honoured and humbled by the confidence placed in me by President-elect Trump to represent the United States as its Ambassador to Israel.
“I intend to work tirelessly to strengthen the unbreakable bond between our two countries and advance the cause of peace within the region, and look forward to doing this from the U.S. embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem”.
Friedman is a founding partner of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP, a national law firm with approximately 350 attorneys.
For the past 35 years, he has specialised in litigation and bankruptcy law, playing a leading role in restructuring many of the nation’s most complex financial and business operations.
He has been widely recognised for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession, and has been named one of the 500 leading lawyers in the U.S.
Friedman has been a generous philanthropist to Jewish causes, including United Hatzalah of Israel, a nationwide volunteer service of first responders providing aid to all injured Israelis.
This is regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, and Aleh Negev, one of the world’s most advanced facilities for the care of severely disabled children.
Under his leadership and at the President-elect’s direction, the U.S.-Israel relationship will be a model of cooperation and respect, the statement said. (NAN)