U.S. Ambassador to Israel Locked In Twitter War With Liberal Daily Haaretz

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman has a bone to pick with the country’s liberal daily Haaretz.
This week, the newspaper published an op-ed by columnist Gideon Levy in which he takes issue with Friedman who donated an ambulance to the Jewish settlement of Har Bracha. The column was published days after rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal, a father of four from Har Bracha, was murdered week by a Palestinian terrorist.
“With Friedman’s ambulance or without it, Har Bracha (literally, ‘Mountain of Blessing’) is a mountain of curses,” wrote Levy.
On Friday, Ambassador Friedman took to Twitter to respond.
What has become of .@Haaretz ? Four young children are sitting shiva for their murdered father and this publication calls their community a “mountain of curses.” Have they no decency?
— David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) February 9, 2018
Haaretz publisher Amos Shocken responded: “Mr. Ambassador Gideon Levy is right. As long as the policy of Israel that your Government and yourself support is obstructing peace process, practical annexation of the territories, perpetuating apartheid, fighting terror but willing to pay its price, there will be more Shivas.”
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
