Hope for the Jewish State

“How does a nation come to Jerusalem?”

That’s a question that comes up during Yael Eckstein’s latest conversation—with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. A Nobel Peace Prize nominee and the co-architect of 2020’s groundbreaking Abraham Accords, Friedman freely shares about his work in the ambassadorship. And aside from his time in the embassy, the ambassador has also enjoyed a long and respected legal career and a second career as an author.

His new book, One Jewish State—its foreword by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and out on September 3—looks hopefully and thoughtfully at the possibility for peace in Jerusalem. And during his conversation with Yael, Ambassador Friedman also shares his wisdom on life and faith—ultimately sharing an answer to the afore-mentioned question that was given more than two thousand years ago by the prophet Isaiah.

So listen now to this insightful and inspirational conversation with a true servant and ambassador for America, for Israel, and for all people of faith.

Episode Notes:

Born and raised in the United States, David Friedman grew up the son of a rabbi and an English teacher. His parents’ admirable lifework influenced and still influence Friedman in his own, as do the strong faith they both exemplified.

Having established a successful and admirable, in its own right, career of his own as an attorney, Friedman has also proven to be a man of many talents. Tabbed by the Trump administration as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Friedman served in that role for four years. He witnessed the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem—something he and Yael Eckstein discuss in their new podcast conversation—and then helped design a truly groundbreaking diplomatic agreement.

The Abraham Accords, agree to in 2020, were the first such peace treaty between Israel and its Arab neighbors in almost three decades. And Ambassador Friedman’s tireless work helped bring about this hopeful and historic agreement—work that was rewarded when he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Since leaving the ambassadorship, Friedman has kept himself busy, still working for the peace of Jerusalem, launching the Friedman Center for Peace Through Strength, and authoring two books in the short time since. His latest book—One Jewish State: The Last, Best Hope to Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, its foreword by former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo—will be released this September 3, and is a must-read for those who pray for Israel’s peace.

And Ambassador Friedman’s entire conversation with Yael is also a must, as they discuss their shared experience of having rabbis as fathers, their dedication to Israel and her people today, and their hopes and prayers for the Jewish state and its people in the days to come.