Trump pick Friedman clears final hurdle, confirmed as amb. to Israel

By a majority of 52 to 46, the US Senate confirmed David Friedman as ambassador to Israel on Thursday afternoon (Washington time). He was previously approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a slim margin, with 12 in favor and 9 opposed. 
The 58-year-old Friedman has been one of Donald Trump's lawyers for many years. He has deep economic and personal ties to Israel and owns a home in Jerusalem. Regarding the planned move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the Israeli capital, he said in December that he looks forward to working "from the US embassy in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem."