Tense times for Tel Aviv

New US ambassador is a controversial figure at a time when peace requires diplomacy

It is safe to say that the appointment of David Friedman as US ambassador to Israel will raise eyebrows across the world – and cause irritation, and worse, in the Middle East. At a time when the Palestinian issue requires carefully calibrated policy, Mr Friedman gives the impression of being a bulldozer. His first act was to declare he would work out of Jerusalem, which he called “Israel’s eternal capital”. So far, so controversial. In Washington circles, some have counselled a wait-and-see approach to Donald Trump’s picks for cabinet and ambassadorial positions. Certainly, Mr Friedman’s explosive words were tempered by the Trump camp, who said it was too early to say when the US embassy might be moved from Tel Aviv.

It may be then that Donald Trump’s team has understood the importance of adhering to international norms and laws on the issue of Jerusalem. The international community considers East Jerusalem to be occupied by Israel and the site of Palestine’s future capital. Unilaterally overturning that would be to break with decades of US policy.

But with Mr Friedman in charge, the issue of Jerusalem may not be as important as it is made out. Because the city is holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews, and because it is an issue that goes to the heart of the occupation, it makes headlines. But in terms of daily life for Palestinians under occupation, moving an embassy won’t make a great deal of difference.

Far more concerning is Mr Friedman’s public positions in support of building settlements, which remain the biggest stumbling block to Israel making peace with its neighbours. Moreover, as Israel is currently run by the most right-wing government in its history, there will be many other issues – to do with Palestinians being unlawfully detained, attacks by settlers, and rights to work and family life – that will come up during the four years of the Trump administration. Palestinians and countries around the world would be looking to the US to use its leverage with Israel to enforce basic human rights. But with Mr Friedman as ambassador, the likelihood of an even-handed approach has slipped further away.