Former U.S. Envoy David Friedman Accuses Biden and Democrats of Betraying Israel

By Yoni Weiss

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman on Wednesday criticized President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party for their handling of the recent U.N. Security Council ceasefire resolution regarding the Gaza conflict. In an interview with Yediot, Friedman described the impact of the resolution on the war effort and efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas as “very, very serious matters.”

Friedman expressed disappointment over the failure of the United States to veto the resolution, calling it a betrayal of Israel. He emphasized that Hamas’s celebration of the resolution in Tehran indicates their confidence in surviving the conflict, making negotiations for the release of hostages more difficult.

Regarding criticism from Israel about the strength of the alliance with the U.S., Friedman acknowledged it as a fair question. He labeled the actions of the Biden administration, along with those of prominent Democratic figures like Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, as a betrayal of Israel.

Friedman argued that disagreements between the U.S. and Israel should be handled privately, rather than involving the United Nations, which he described as not a friend of Israel. He warned that if Hamas is not completely eradicated after the Gaza conflict, its leader Yahya Sinwar could become a hero for extremist forces worldwide.

Discussing the U.S. election year context, Friedman suggested that political considerations should not justify betraying allies. He expressed belief that former President Donald Trump would have taken a different approach, emphasizing Trump’s stance on supporting Israel’s defense capabilities and deterring serious Hamas attacks.

Friedman concluded by highlighting the Trump administration’s trust in Israel’s ability to defend itself and its avoidance of pressing for a two-state solution or a ceasefire. He attributed Hamas’s ability to carry out attacks partly to increased funding from Iran and emphasized Iran’s growing influence in recent years.