Statement from Dylan Williams, J Street’s Vice President of Government Affairs:

“The level of opposition faced by David Friedman today in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote was unprecedented. This is by far the most contested vote on a nominee for US Ambassador to Israel ever. The fact that nine Senators voted against Friedman is a clear signal that he is a completely inappropriate and disastrous choice for such an important position. It shows that the committee heard loud and clear the objections and concerns of diplomatic experts, pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans and the American Jewish community.

Now the vigorous debate over Friedman’s nomination will continue in the full Senate. We urge all Senators to consider Friedman’s record and the warnings that many of their colleagues have already raised about his dangerous views and undiplomatic temperament, and to oppose this nominee. We are confident that in the full Senate vote, too, a clear message will be sent: The ideology and rhetoric of David Friedman are a threat to the US-Israel relationship, to American interests and to Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.”