US, Israel to Emerge Stronger Than Ever

Stand for Israel  |  March 20, 2020

As the world deals with the coronavirus crisis, life has been upended from Jerusalem to Washington. But life still goes on, as do the strong bonds between the United States and the Jewish state. Our friends at the Jerusalem Post showed this to be the case when they caught up with quarantined American Ambassador David Friedman, who expressed confidence that the two great allies will pull through this, together:

US Ambassador David Friedman usually has a very busy schedule, going from one meeting to another with Israeli officials, flying to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump, or addressing major Israeli or American organizations.

This week, however, Friedman was forced to scale back. After attending the AIPAC Policy Conference at the beginning of the month and returning to Israel after March 5, the ambassador had to self-quarantine for a few days under the Health Ministry’s instructions. He has since been working mostly from home.

The Jerusalem Post checked in on Friedman and found him to be in high spirits and confident about the ability of the US and Israel to pull through the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Jerusalem Post’: It may be too early to ask this question, but how do you think this pandemic will end?

Ambassador Friedman: I have no doubt that the US and Israel will both recover, learn important lessons and emerge stronger. Both countries are taking extraordinary measures to arrest the spread of the virus and they will succeed…

So when do you think it ends?

I’m no expert, but my sense is that in a few months the trend recedes, immunity grows and eventually a vaccine is developed. That’s how this has resolved in the past. And at that point I think the economy roars back…