Trump picks David Friedman

Shalom Maidenbaum has known Woodsburgh resident David Friedman for 30 years and believes that his close friend is unusually qualified to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel.

“David is extremely persuasive and in my mind is the perfect person to be ambassador to Israel, as he knows America’s interests and Israel’s interests should be aligned and he understands the value of diplomacy,” said Maidenbaum, a Cedarhurst attorney and owner of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction. “David is uniquely qualified to understand the demographics and geography of Israel and that it could be a land where Jews and Arabs thrive together if there is a willing partner.”

It was announced by President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 15 that Friedman, 57, an Orthodox Jew, is his choice to be the ambassador to the Jewish state. Friedman has long-standing ties with Israel and had his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. He served as one of Trump’s primary advisers on Israel, and Middle Eastern affairs during the presidential campaign. The U.S. Senate must confirm Friedman’s appointment.

In a statement that was released on Twitter, Friedman said, “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. 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’s last statement is controversial as Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel and there are currently 86 foreign embassies in the city. The U.S. Congress passed a law in 1995 that the U.S. embassy in Israel would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The law has never been implemented.

In a Twitter statement, Trump said, “The bond between Israel and the United States runs deep, and I will ensure there is no daylight between us when I’m president. 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 adviser 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.” 

A principal with the law firm of Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman, he heads the Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group. Friedman represents debtors-in-possession, commercial lenders in complex real estate and industrial bankruptcies and informal restructurings, committees of creditors and equity security holders. He has published articles and lectured on complex areas of bankruptcy law. 

Maidenbaum noted that Friedman’s father, Rabbi Morris Friedman, was an iconic figure in the Orthodox Jewish community, and was one of the founders of  the modern Orthodox movement. Rabbi Friedman was the spiritual leader at Temple Hillel in North Woodmere. He hosted President Ronald Reagan when he visited the Five Towns in 1984.  

Rabbi Steven Graber, spiritual leader of Temple Hillel, said that “David Friedman is a well-respected attorney with a very deep understanding of the Middle East situation … I believe he would do an excellent job of representing the United States in a sensitive area of the world.”   

Along with Maidenbaum and Graber, support for Friedman’s appointment came from a trio of Five Towns residents.

Councilman Bruce Blakeman, who was at the Bet El dinner in November that Friedman also attended, said that the envoy candidate has a long-standing relationship with Israel and understands the bond between the U.S. and the Jewish state. “There’s no question that the ambassador-designate will strongly support maintaining our nation’s relationship with Israel, as well as their right to defend themselves,” Blakeman said. Bet El is an Israeli settlement on the West Bank. 

Cedarhurst resident Jeff Leb, who serves on the Peninsula Public Library board, said that Friedman’s record has shown him to be a solid supporter of Israel. “When anti-Israel organizations and advocates, such as Linda Sarsour, express anguish and anger over the President-elect Trump’s choice, it is a clear indication to supporters of Israel that Mr. Trump made the right selection. I look forward with optimism and anticipation to the role that Mr. Friedman will play in enhancing the special bond between America and Israel.”

Former Village of Lawrence Mayor Martin Oliner, who serves as one of three co-presidents for the Religious Zionists of America, said speaking for himself, he is “excited and pleased by the appointment of an extraordinarily talented individual to be the next ambassador to Israel. …We are sure that David Friedman’s Orthodox Jewish background and focused business talents will ensure the success and safety of the United States-Israel partnership as it moves forward from strength to strength. We wish him all the best.”