Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Sunday) said goodbye to US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. At the beginning of the Cabinet meeting, he said: “I must say that over the years I have met many ambassadors from many different countries and from the United States. I have not met as good an ambassador as David Friedman, who worked to reaffirm the deep connection between Israel and the United States and correct diplomatic injustices in relation to Israel.”
“I do not know David, when you became ambassador, if you knew what imprint you would leave behind, but today we all know it. We know that you have worked hard to bring American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the American embassy to Jerusalem. You also worked to ensure that American passports read Jerusalem, Israel.”
“You also encouraged the recognition of our sovereignty in the Golan Heights, which is important both in terms of justice and in terms of our security. And you worked with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to change the treatment of communities in Judea and Samaria, to make it clear that residing there is not against international law. You also changed the definition of occupied territories of Judea and Samaria into disputed territories. That is accurate until it is distorted by elements hostile to Israel and hostile to the truth.”
The Prime Minister told Friedman: “Beyond that, you also acted to ensure that the scientific agreements between Israel and the United States will also apply to communities beyond the Green Line. You were a key pillar in the planning and formulation of the Trump plan, which is the first serious plan to achieve real peace between Israel and the Palestinians. What is there beyond security is the need for the Palestinians to recognize the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.”
“You have worked to abolish the Palestinian veto so that we can reach peace agreements with countries in the Arab world, including the four peace agreements we have made in the past four months. A joint effort of mine, of President Trump, and of the skilled team led by Jared Kushner.”
In conclusion, he said: “This is a great accomplishment that is good for Israeli-US relations, good for Israel and good for peace. For all that, David, thank you very much. ”
