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the New Administration « Press Release from Trump for
America, Inc.
For Immediate Release
December 15, 2016
President-Elect Donald J. Trump Nominates David Friedman as U.S. Ambassador to Israel
(New
York,
NY)— President-elect Donald J. Trump on Thursday announced the
nomination of Mr. David Friedman to serve as the United States
Ambassador to Israel.
Mr. Friedman, a renowned attorney who has been counselor to some of the
world’s top businessmen and companies, was one of the President-elect’s
principal advisors on the US-Israel relationship during the campaign.
When Israel proclaimed itself an independent republic in 1948, the
United States 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 Mr. 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 bond between Israel and the United States runs deep, and I will
ensure there is no daylight between us when I’m President,” said
President-elect Trump. “As the United States’ 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.”
Mr. 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.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the confidence placed in me by
President-elect Trump to represent the United States as its Ambassador
to Israel,” said Mr. Friedman. “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.”
Mr. 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 specialized in litigation and bankruptcy law,
playing a leading role in restructuring many of the nation’s most
complex financial and business operations. Mr. Friedman has been widely
recognized for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession,
and has been named one of the 500 leading lawyers in the United States.
Mr. 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, 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
US-Israel relationship will be a model of cooperation and respect.