David Friedman Painfully Struggles To Explain Views On Two-State Solution
David Friedman had an early test of his ability to speak diplomatically as he sought to wriggle his way out of the deep hole he dug for himself during years of acerbic far right-wing writing about Israel and the Jewish community.
On the two-state solution, Friedman was forced to defend his views as a staunch supporter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which gobble up land Palestinians want for their state.
It would be the “most ideal” solution, Friedman tried. Then he added that a two-state solution presents the “best possibility for peace in the region,” even though he said Palestinians are blocking such a deal.
Friedman also disavowed a one-state solution in which Palestinian Arabs would be second class citizens.
“I don’t think anyone would support a state where different classes of citizens had separate rights,” he said, apparently ignoring the opinions of many on Israel’s far right who espouse just that belief.
Should pro-peace advocates breath a sigh of relief?
Maybe. As long as they don’t look up Friedman’s comments from the past, when he said it is time to “end the two-state narrative” which is no more than an “illusion.”
Contact Nathan Guttman at guttman@forward.com
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.