Pastor Chris Oyakhilome was recently granted an exclusive interview with President Trump’s appointed United States Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. Pastor Chris is the world-renowned pastor of Christ Embassy, who founded and leads LoveWorld Incorporated, a global Christian organization headquartered in Nigeria…
Friedman contends that the shared values and shared accomplishments of Israel and the United States have contributed to the formation of a strong bond between the two countries, conceding that Israel has achieved all of this at a much greater risk to its security than the United States.
Pastor Chris questioned the ambassador about the recent heightened rhetoric from Iran against the United States and Israel. Ambassador Friedman acknowledged growing concerns about Iran’s activity in the region, which includes a ramping up of activity throughout the Southern and Northern Crescents – in Yemen, Iraq and in Syria.
Continuing the security discussion, Pastor Chris asked the ambassador about the motivations behind the United States’ recent formal declaration of the Golan Heights territory as part of Israel. Friedman stated that he believes there is simply no conceptualization of Israel’s northern border that does not include the Golan Heights, saying that the United States will continue to support Israel in its lawful right to establish a safe and secure border.
Claiming it was the right decision at the right time, Friedman acknowledged that the region, which is strategically important, under no conceivable circumstances would now or ever be returned to Syrian President Bashar Assad. Ambassador Friedman tells Pastor Chris that, “The Golan Heights needs to be a part of Israel forever.”
Israel is the Lynch-pin to America’s Vision in the Middle East
When asked by Pastor Chris about America’s vision for the Middle East region, Ambassador Friedman replied that the United States hopes to “see much of the region join the 21st century, develop better practices with regard to human rights, (develop) more open, transparent economies, and promote nonaggression from one country to the next.”
He continued, saying that Israel, being the only democracy in the region, is the ‘lynch-pin’ to that vision. He praised Israel, calling it the model for other countries to aspire to. Ultimately, Friedman says that the United States’ vision for the region reflects democratic nations living in peace.
Concluding their discussion, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome encourages Ambassador Friedman, relying on his own experience in Israel, to share with the world something about the country. Friedman tells Pastor Chris that they could sit talking about Israel for hours, but that it doesn’t compare to experiencing the country firsthand. He encourages people who want to understand Israel to come to the country, see its beauty and the miracle of it. He extols the power of walking the lands of the Bible, where Jesus walked. He calls a visit to Israel a transformational experience.