JTA: Why Democrats and Republicans are fighting over the Jerusalem embassy bash

It’s a credible argument and well articulated — were it made by a Republican or an analyst. Critics pointed out that Friedman is an ambassador with whom government officials of both parties are supposed to be comfortable. (He noted in the same interview that in March, he helped organize a successful visit led by House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.)

“It is truly unprecedented for a sitting U.S. Ambassador to Israel to engage in explicitly partisan rhetoric and behavior,” Ron Klein, the chairman of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said in a statement. “Ambassador Friedman must remember that he is not the head of the Republican National Committee or the Republican Jewish Coalition political organization. He is the U.S. Ambassador, as confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to represent all Americans in Israel – not just those of one party, or those who share his political views.”