Open Letter to David Friedman

Dear David,

You are quoted as saying that "We are in a very good place with the sanctions on Iran"  Come on David.  I realize that as a political appointee you feel free to engage in domestic politics depite the tradition that as an American Ambassador you are supposed to represent the entire United States.  However, blatantly using your position to make your political points does no service to Israel nor to the United States.  As Joe Biden has pointed out: "At the United Nations, Trump could not rally a single one of America's closest allies to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran. Next, Trump tried to unilaterally reimpose UN sanctions on Iran, only to have virtually all the UN security council members unite to reject his gambit. Now there are reports that Iran has stockpiled 10 times as much enriched uranium as it had when President Barack Obama and I left office."

David, is that a "good place" for the United States?

When I was in your position in Israel it was my firm belief that Israel was stronger when it had broad international support, and that our voice and influence had a greater poitical impact in support of Israel when we could talk to all parties in the conflict and region, not just Israeli settlers and the right wing of Israeli politics. You obviously don't agree.

When I was Ambassdor to the UAE, I fully understood the regional threat posed by Iran to the Gulf states and particularly to the UAE. But I also understood, as Sadam Hussein found out, that Iran is not a toothless bystander and that, while force should not be excluded, neither should it be our first option in dealing with the threat of an nuclear armed Iran. What happened to the Godfather's advice to "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

I don't know that anyone in the previous administratiion thought that the JCPOA was a fiinal solution, but it was an efficient place holder against Iranian nuclear weapons while we geared up for a more permanent solution and had the "hutspah" to talk to our allies and, God forbid, even the Iranians about a way back from armed conflict.

Believe it or not David, when I was an Ambassador at the UN, we actually made progress on some very difficult problems through negotiation.  The great thing about being an American Ambassador, I found, was that I never had to posture, stamp my feet, or threaten to be heard . Unfortunately, after the past four years, I am not sure that my successors have the same advantage. Anyway, all the best to you in your future life.  Ned