David Friedman

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman poses for a portrait in Jerusalem, November 10, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

An American sledgehammer in Jerusalem

In his new memoir, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman describes how he spent four years gift-wrapping anti-Palestinian violence in the language of Jewish salvation.

By Natasha Roth-Rowland July 19, 2022

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman (left) with White House Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt (center) and Senator Lindsey Graham seen during the opening ceremony of an the Pilgrimage Road at the City of David archaeological site in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, June 30, 2019. (Flash90)

Using archeology in the service of nationalism

The inauguration of a supposed ancient Jewish ‘Pilgrimage Road’ by Ambassador David Friedman and White House envoy Jason Greenblatt is a reminder that archeology is never as neutral as some would like to believe. By Chemi Shiff and Yonathan Mizrachi We tend to think of archeology as a neutral discipline. Archeologists dig up artifacts, date them, and try to build…

By +972 Magazine July 5, 2019

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the AIPAC Conference in Washington DC, on March 6, 2018. (Haim Zach/GPO)

American Jewish anti-occupation advocacy needs to go global

The Jewish community’s traditional unconditional support for Israel’s occupation is rapidly changing. Now is the time to present an alternative to those who justify a violent military regime. By Frima (Merphie) Bubis Two months after the U.S. Embassy officially moved to Jerusalem, the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, hosted AIPAC, America’s largest pro-Israel lobby…

By +972 Magazine July 6, 2018

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Jason Greenblatt, Donald Trump's White House envoy to the Middle East, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, March 13, 2017. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Debunking the myth: White House envoy Jason Greenblatt is no moderate

Long hailed as the ‘moderate’ voice among Trump’s envoys to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt’s blanket support for the Israeli government has disqualified him from playing any meaningful role as a fair arbitrator. By Aaron Magid A growing understanding has emerged that amidst the hardline statements of U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, there is still a responsible…

By +972 Magazine April 16, 2018

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert addresses reporters at the daily press briefing. (State Dept photo)

Forget Friedman. The State Dept doesn’t know how much of the West Bank is occupied either

While disavowing the American ambassador’s erroneous assertion that only 2% of the West Bank is occupied by Israel, the State Department spokesperson isn’t able to answer how much of the territory is actually occupied. (Hint: All of it.) U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman caused a small stir Thursday by erroneously stating that Israel only…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man September 29, 2017

Screenshot of David FriedmanWoodmere, NY on the eve of the election. speaking in

WATCH: Trump Israel envoy praises Israeli leftists — for sending kids to the army

‘I don’t feel the same way about the Israeli Left as I do about the American Left, because the Israeli Left deeply, deeply care about their country,’ Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Israel is recorded saying. Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next American ambassador to Israel has come under intense criticism for, among other…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man March 2, 2017

Protesters demonstrate against Trump's Muslim ban, Boston, January 29, 2017. (Tess Scheflan/Activestills)

Taking protests to the frontline in the U.S. and Israel-Palestine

As injustices continue to mount up in the U.S. and Israel-Palestine, young activists are taking the fight to politicians and powerbrokers. By Yaser Abu Areesha David Friedman, President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, sat through questioning in a Senate confirmation hearing this week, as part of the process any nominee has to…

By +972 Magazine February 19, 2017

American Jews from IfNotNow march at an anti-occupation protest, San Francisco, October 9, 2016.)

It’s time for American Jewish institutions to embrace dissent

In the age of Trump, American Jewish institutions need to include the majority of U.S. Jews who rejected his divisive rhetoric and give a platform to dissenting voices — whether they are speaking out against U.S. or Israeli government policy. By Ben Pakman The Jewish American people are entering what promises to be a tumultuous time…

By +972 Magazine February 11, 2017