Israel’s Ariel University in Samaria has announced that it will award its first honorary doctorate to outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman “in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the diplomatic international relations between the USA and Israel.”

Friedman said in response that he was “deeply honored to be the first recipient of an honorary doctorate from Ariel University, an academic institution that serves students of all faiths and nationalities. Ariel brings a future of peaceful coexistence right to the here and now.”

Friedman served as ambassador to Israel from May 15, 2017 to Jan. 20, 2021. He was appointed to the post by President Donald Trump, who had been represented by David Friedman in connections with bankruptcy negotiations.