— USEmbassyTelAviv (@usembassyta)
May 16, 2017
Mr Friedman, an orthodox Jew, arrived in Israel earlier that day to take up his diplomatic post. Speaking to reporters, he said that he “prayed for the president” and “wished him success especially on his upcoming trip”. Mr Trump is due to visit Israel next week as part of a wider visit to the region.
Meanwhile the 69-year-old rocker flew in on Saturday, ahead of his band’s performance at Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon on Wednesday. More than 45,000 people are expected to show up for the show, which is the group’s first in Israel for 22 years.
The singer, who is father to actress Liv Tyler, signed autographs and greeted his fans on his tour of the Old City.
