Donald Trump's ambassador to Israel broke the mold of non-partisan predecessors by outraging Palestinians with comments that the Jewish state has a right to annex some areas of the West Bank.

In June, he inaugurated an archaeological dig under Palestinian homes at an event also attended by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, one of the largest donors to the Trump campaign. When Israel barred two Democratic congresswomen from visiting this month, Friedman backed the decision.

Now the scope of Friedman's influence is about to become apparent as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads into the final days of campaigning before Sept. 17 elections and the U.S. gears up to unveil the political part of the White House's latest Mideast peace plan.