Ambassador Friedman Says Trump Supports Helping Chareidim

The American embassy in Israel is planning to expand its efforts to help chareidim develop businesses and find employment, Ambassador David Friedman told a business conference sponsored by the Hebrew Hamodia on Sunday morning.

“In the near future, the embassy will begin two projects which help chareidi women. The first project will help women integrate into the workforce, and the second will help businesses managed by women.”

“The bottom line is that the embassy and I will form partnerships with the chareidi community, because if the charedi community is strong, the nation of Israel is strong.”

Friedman invoked the Mishna in Pirkei Avos, which states im ain kemach, ain Torah, ‘if there is no flour, there is no Torah.”

The programs have the blessing of President Donald Trump. “The President, as a businessman, supports every effort to advance business in the [chareidi] community,” Friedman said. “The embassy has a very long relationship with the chareidi community and highly respects it.”

“The embassy is helping chareidi families integrate into the workforce. In the field of English, we are cooperating with a college to teach the language.”

Meanwhile, a White House official was quoted as saying on Sunday that presidential envoy Jason Greenblatt is on his way back to Israel.

“Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt is heading to Israel on Sunday night to meet with Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. While the primary purpose of his trip is to meet with the Ambassador, now that the Ambassador is on the ground and fully installed in his position, Greenblatt will also likely be taking meetings relevant to both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

“This trip is an interim visit as talks continue about potential next steps. President Trump has made it clear that working towards achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians is a top priority for him,” the official said.