US ambassador parties like it's the 4th of July
Welcoming a host of Israeli government leaders and public figures, Ambassador Friedman throws a 4th of July celebration at his Herzliya Pituah home complete with McDonald's, Ben and Jerry's and fireworks.
Among guests at Friedman's first 4th of July celebration were President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Mossad head Yossi Cohen and in a surprising move, the heads of West Bank regional councils, who not invited by any previous US ambassador.
Other Israeli government guests included ministers Yisrael Katz, Yuval Steinitz, Uri Ariel, Tzachi Hanegbi and Ayoob Kara, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, former US ambassador Dan Shapiro and numerous MKs including Oren Hazan. Many of the guests greeted the ambassador, saying, "Next year in Jerusalem."
The event featured "traditional" American catering such as McDonald's hamburgers, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, pizza, hot pretzels and more. Per usual, the evening ended with a fireworks display.
Ambassador Friedman also took the time to honor Lt. Hadar Goldin—whose body is still being held by Hamas—by hanging one of his paintings in the ambassador's residence and inviting his parents to the event. Friedman noted that the Goldin family "mourns not only their son, but also that his body has not been returned for burial in Israel."
Friedman also took pride in two recent achievements: the fact that he was the first ambassador to accompany a sitting US president to the Westen Wall and his visit with Netanyahu to a US aircraft carrier currently docked in Haifa.
"The power of the ship is greater than many countries in the world," said Friedman. "It allows the United States to ensure peace and I hope that by virtue of our strength, we won't have to fire one shot. On the helicopter ride back, I thought about the principle that peace can be achieved through strength."
In his remarks at the event, Netanyahu praised the partnership between the two countries and their armed forces as well as President Trump's decision to visit Israel on his first international visit. "When the President decided ... to visit the Western Wall, and he touched those stones, he touched our hearts," said Netanyahu.
In referencing the Western Wall, Netanyahu took the opportunity to touch on the current crisis with US Jews, saying, "I am committed and I remain committed to making every Jew feel at home in Israel, including at the Kotel, including at the Kotel. All we need is patience and perseverance."
