By COLlive reporter
Archive photos by Baruch Ezagui
Top representatives of Israel and the United States found themselves on the same stage Thursday night at the Israeli Embassy’s celebration of the Jewish state’s 68th birthday, Forward reported.
Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough did their best to signal there’s no bad blood between them, following their battle over the Iran Deal.
McDonough also went the extra mile to reassure the audience that relations are back on track. He threw in a Hebrew “erev tov” (good evening) at the opening of his speech on Thursday.
And he had another example.
“I have to admit, for a guy named McDonough, I feel very much at home,” he told guests. “As many of you know, I’ve been fortunate to work closely with the Jewish community during my time at the White House.
“Last December, Kari, two of our kids and I even had the great privilege of celebrating Hannukah on the South Lawn of the White House. I got to ride in a cherry picker with Rabbis Abraham and Levi Shemtov, 30 feet up in the air, to light the national menorah.”
McDonough added, “That was pretty neat—and more than a little bit reassuring—even celestial—being surrounded by clergy as I elevated from the earth.”
