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An Israeli soldier stands next to a bus stop covered with a poster from the Israeli branch of the US Republican party campaign in favor of Donald Trump, near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Ariel, Oct. 6, 2016. (photo by REUTERS/Baz Ratner)Why Israeli settlers consider Trump’s ambassador choice a ‘miracle’ The appointment of attorney David Friedman as US ambassador to Israel was the first actual indication on the part of the Donald Trump administration that it does intend to support the Israeli right and the settlements. If until now there were only assessments and background noise, a smattering of statements and a certain vague ambiguity, Friedman’s appointment sends a very clear, public signal that is quite remarkable. For the first time, the United States is sending an ambassador to Israel who openly supports the settlements, personally contributes to their development, calls on Israel to increase settlement construction and suggests that Israel annex at least some of the land with settlements on it.There are no words to describe such a sharp change in direction, or how dramatic its impact could be, if Trump does not change course and dictate a very different policy to Friedman. For Trump to do so would come as quite a surprise. As one senior State Department official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “In American terms, it's like John Lennon being replaced by Donald Rumsfeld.”Knesset member and Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On responded to the appointment by telling Al-Monitor that she is considering refusing to meet with Friedman, to avoid giving him legitimacy. The problem is that Gal-On will have to worry about her own legitimacy once Friedman takes office. Main opposition leader Isaac Herzog was more circumspect, saying that he makes a habit of not intervening in appointments made by US administrations.Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/12/israel-us-west-bank-donald-trump-david-friedman-ambassador.html#ixzz4TLKam1Wv
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Topic: Why Israeli settlers consider Trump’s ambassador choice a ‘miracle’ (Read 497 times)
