FORMER AMBASSADOR LAUNCHES CENTER FOR PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH
Updated: Sep 2, 2021
Ambassador (ret) David Friedman has announced the opening of The Friedman Center for Peace through Strength, Inc. (the “Friedman Center”), a nonprofit institution dedicated to expanding and scaling the Abraham Accords and thereby advancing peace and prosperity within the Middle East.
The inaugural event of the Friedman Center will take place at a gala dinner to be held on October 11, 2021 at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. The dinner will feature the world premiere of The Abraham Accords, a five-part documentary providing important insights into these historic agreements, co-produced by Ambassador Friedman and the TBN Network. The entire documentary will begin airing on the TBN Network in the late Fall.
The launch event for the Friedman Center is co-sponsored and co-chaired by Larry A. Mizel and Sylvan Adams, two business leaders whose philanthropic efforts align with the Friedman Center’s mission of ending Israel’s international isolation and strengthening the relationships forged by the Abraham Accords. Mr. Mizel is the chairman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and a founder of The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. Mr. Adams is well known for bringing large scale sports and cultural events to Israel to build bridges between Israel and other nations.
The dinner will be attended by business and thought leaders and government officials from the United States, Israel and the Arab world. Confirmed attendees include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin. At the dinner, The Friedman Center will award to Secretary Pompeo its initial “Peace through Strength” award. Secretaries Pompeo and Mnuchin and Ambassador Friedman will also be featured speakers at the 10th annual Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, to be held at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem the following day, October 12, 2021.
Speaking about the upcoming inaugural event of the Friedman Center, Ambassador Friedman stated: “I am delighted to inaugurate the Friedman Center at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. It is a magnificent edifice whose soaring architecture speaks to the potential of the human spirit to achieve peace. Located in the center of Jerusalem, it permits the realization of the famous vision of the prophet Isaiah who foresaw nations of the world coming to Jerusalem, upon which he predicted that ‘nation shall not take up sword against nation and they shall study war no more.’”
Turning to the Abraham Accords, Friedman commented: “Since leaving office, I felt it important to preserve the legacy and advance the message of the Abraham Accords through the voices of those responsible for this extraordinary achievement. Partnering with the exceptional skills and reach of TBN, I believe that we have created a documentary film that will inspire other nations and other leaders to embrace this path to peace. I am so happy to unveil this film in Jerusalem as we launch our Center.”
Regarding the attendance of Secretary Mnuchin, Friedman stated: “Secretary Mnuchin has been the most impactful Treasury Secretary in American history. In addition to spearheading US tax reform and developing the CARES Act, which many believe averted a global depression, the Secretary led the US sanctions campaign against Iran, led the American delegation to the opening of Embassy Jerusalem, and travelled extensively within the Middle East to solidify the newly-formed relationships forged by the Abraham Accords.”
Regarding the Friedman Center presenting the inaugural “Peace through Strength” award to Secretary Pompeo, Friedman stated: “Secretary Mike Pompeo navigated American diplomacy with enormous courage and skill. Around the globe, Secretary Pompeo, under the direction of President Trump, projected American values and American strength in a manner that made the world a safer and more peaceful place. I can think of no individual more worthy of our initial “Peace through Strength” award and we are honored that Secretary Pompeo has agreed to accept it.”
Commenting on the launch of the Friedman Center, co-chair Larry Mizel commented: “It is my honor to stand with Ambassador Friedman in building upon the Abraham Accords to bring peace, prosperity and tolerance to the Middle East.” Co-chair Sylvan Adams noted: “The Abraham Accords represents a sea change in Israel’s relationship with the Arab world. I am proud to partner with Ambassador Friedman in his vital efforts.”
The Friedman Center for Peace through Strength looks forward to welcoming a distinguished group of leaders to its inaugural event on October 11, 2021 at The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem.