(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, March 23 (KUNA) -- The Senate on Thursday confirmed attorney David Friedman as the Trump administration's new US ambassador to Israel with a 52-46 vote.
Despite backing a two-state solution, the New York attorney at his Senate confirmation hearing in February suggested that "the Palestinians' failure to renounce terror and accept Israel as a Jewish state" is why "we haven't made progress." However, Friedman told Senators he would be "delighted" for peace to be reached in the region, which has "suffered on both sides for so long," adding he would be encouraging "direct negotiations." In a statement upon his nomination by President Donald Trump, he also said he looked forward to assuming the role of ambassador "from the US embassy in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem." As an attorney, he has represented business people, firms, and was a close advisor on US-Israel relations during the election campaign of president Trump.
Friedman, also known to have provided donations to "Jewish causes," is fluent in Hebrew and has a personal connection to Israel, having held his Bar Mitzvah (a Jewish coming of age ceremony) at the Western Wall, according to the nomination statement. (end) sd.hb
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