Netanyahu welcomes Friedman confirmation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed David Friedman as the U.S. ambassador to Israel in a Tweet, Thursday.

US Senators voted 52-46 and approved the first of President Donald Trump's pick for ambassadors.

Netanyahu said that Friedman would be warmly welcomed by Israel.

Israeli envoy to the U.S. Ron Dermer also posted on Twitter congratulating Friedman.

Friedman previously served as Trump's bankruptcy lawyer. He has been criticized for his earlier comments on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Friedman needed a simple majority for the confirmation of his nomination. Although several Democrats opposed it, Republicans showed support. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Bob Melendez (D-N.J.) among the Republicans, voted for Friedman during the senate hearing. They also supported him during a procedural vote that took place earlier Thursday.

Friedman's nomination has been through a lot of controversies. Democrats voiced their concerns about Friedman's comments earlier opposing a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Friedman also advocated for Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) did not support the nomination.

"Taken together, Mr. Friedman’s statements and affiliations make it clear that he does not believe the two-state solution is necessary for a just and lasting peace," Cardin said.