US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman paid a visit to the predominantly haredi town of Bnei Brak last Tuesday during the Passover festival, meeting with leading rabbinic figures including Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky.
According to a report by Kan, Ambassador Friedman also met with the dean of the Ponovezh Yeshiva, one of the most prominent yeshivas in the haredi world, and urged the rabbi to give his blessing to President Trump’s reelection bid in 2020.
During the meeting, the dean, Rabbi Baruch Dov Povarsky, remarked that President Trump is a “true friend” of Israel, marveling that such support was “no small feat”.
“Today, Trump is a true friend of Israel. That’s no small feat.”
In response, Ambassador Friedman warned that the strong relationship between Washington and Jerusalem could be jeopardized after the 2020 presidential election if President Trump is defeated.
“The question is what will be two years from now, or less than two years from now. Because what we see on the other side, on the Left, is very frightening. So you need to bless us that we will be successful again [in the elections]. We need all the blessings, from all of Bnei Brak.”
“Everything comes from Heaven,” Rabbi Povarsky responded.
“So help us out, you’re closer [to Heaven],” continued Friedman, urging the rabbi to offer a blessing.