Rep. Steve Cohen Rejects David Friedman — Says He’s No ‘Fiddler’

Rep. Steve Cohen Image by getty images

Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen has a uniquely Jewish put-down for Donald Trump’s pick to be Israel ambassador: “You’re no Tevye the milkman.”
Of the 18 Jewish Democrats in the House of Representatives, four have already spoken out against the appointment of Friedman, a right-wing Orthodox bankruptcy lawyer best known for his unswerving support for West Bank settlements.
But none twisted the knife like Cohen, who took to Twitter to explain why Friedman is not the right choice for the job.
“Israeli ambassador must be a diplomat as he is like a fiddler on the roof,” Cohen tweeted. “Reject #Friedman! Dangerous for 2-state solution & peace for #Israel”
The three other liberal Jewish lawmakers who have already spoken out Friedman’s appointment include Jerry Nadler, John Yarmuth and Jan Schakowsky.
But while voices rejecting Friedman keep on coming from the House, opponents of Friedman, who are seeking to derail his confirmation, are still lacking any support from Democrats in the Senate, where the confirmation hearing will be held.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
