Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., said President-elect Donald Trump's planned nominee for U.S. ambassador to Israel will most likely soften his tone during the confirmation process.
"I think you're going to find in the weeks ahead in the confirmation process on David Friedman that it's going to be very clear that . . . he and President Trump want to be part of achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians — and that some of the things he said really don't reflect what he believes," Lieberman told CNN on Thursday.
"I think you'll find along the way that he will express some regrets."
Trump said last week he would nominate Friedman, a conservative bankruptcy lawyer, to the post after his inaugural next month.
Friedman is a pro-Israel hardliner who supports Israeli settlements and other changes to U.S. policies in the region.
He has been slammed by Democrats and liberal groups for challenging a two-state solution with Palestinians and for his strong condemnation of Jewish groups seeking peace.
Lieberman is a former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Connecticut independent senator who is a longtime supporter of Israel.
He joined Friedman's New York law firm after leaving Congress in 2013.
Lieberman said many of Friedman's most caustic statements came "in the heat of the campaign" to elect Trump in November.
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