Pictured Above: U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, then the nominee, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in February. Credit: C-SPAN via Wikimedia Commons.

(JNS.org) David Friedman was officially sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Israel Wednesday.

Vice President Mike Pence conducted the swearing-in and describe it as “one of the clearest signs” of President Donald Trump’s strong commitment to the Jewish state. 

“The president of the United States of America is a lifelong friend of Israel and the Jewish people and, under his leadership, if the world knows nothing else the world will know this: America stands with Israel,” Pence said.

Friedman—Trump’s former bankruptcy attorney—had encountered significant opposition from Democrats and some liberal Jewish organizations following his nomination for the role, due to his anti-two state and pro-settlement stance as well as his strong-worded criticism of left-wing Jewish activists. His confirmation by the U.S. Senate last week came after a highly contentious debate. 

Yet Friedman’s nomination was roundly applauded in February by more than 70 evangelical Christian leaders, who issued a letter backing his candidacy.

Friedman is the first of Trump’s ambassadorial candidates to be sworn in to office.

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