There should be no surprise about the way The New York Times and the liberal Jewish establishment in America is working itself up into a lather over Donald Trump’s appointment of a new US ambassador to Israel. David Friedman, his bankruptcy lawyer in matters relating to his casinos, whom he has chosen for what is one of the administration’s most important jobs, is outspokenly opposed to a two-state solution, the bedrock of US policy on the Palestinian issue under Barack Obama’s and previous administrations. Mr Friedman has denounced those who favour such a two-state solution as “worse than kapos”, a reference to Jews who co-operated with the Nazis during the Holocaust.
He has declared his support for Israel’s settlement-building policy, which has been regarded as illegal by Mr Obama and much of the international community. He has endorsed Israel’s annexation of some West Bank land. Controversially, he has announced he intends to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, where it has been for 68 years, successive US presidents having retreated from promises to do so after being faced by the likelihood of volcanic Arab reaction. Mr Friedman also has accused Mr Obama of anti-Semitism.
Read the full editorial at The Australian.