Trump picks adviser Friedman as ambassador to Israel

President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Friedman is an Orthodox conservative Jewish attorney from Long Island and a longtime friend and adviser to Trump on U.S.-Israel relations. Friedman supports Israeli settlements in the West Bank. He calls a two-state solution one way, but not the only way, to peace in the region. Friedman responded to the announcement, saying he looked forward to carrying out his duties from “the U.S. embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem.” The American embassy is currently in Tel Aviv, but Trump has promised to move the embassy to Jerusalem, an act that would likely anger Palestinians who want eastern Jerusalem for their future capital. Liberal Jewish groups expressed disapproval, calling the appointment “reckless.” Jewish West Bank settlement leaders praised the appointment, saying Friedman will provide them with a “direct line to the American president.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.