Israeli ambassador to U.S. vouches for Trump, Bannon

The Israeli ambassador to the United States on Thursday praised President-elect Donald Trump as a “true friend of Israel” and said that Israel looks forward to working with the administration — extending a specific mention to incoming top White House adviser Steve Bannon.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer delivered the following statement at Trump Tower, per a pool report: “Israel has no doubt that President-elect Trump is a true friend of Israel. We have no doubt that Vice-President-elect Mike Pence is a true friend of Israel, he was one of Israel’s greatest friends in the Congress, one of the most pro-Israel governors in the country, and we look forward to working with the Trump administration, with all of the members of the Trump administration, including Steve Bannon, and making the US-Israel alliance stronger than ever.”

Bannon has been a source of intense controversy since he was named to a top White House post by Trump, with some accusing Bannon of anti-Semitism. Bannon’s ex-wife alleged that Bannon said he did not want their children attending school “with Jews.” He's also the former head of Breitbart News, which publishes pro-white nationalist views and content.

Dermer reportedly ignored a shouted question about why he specifically mentioned Bannon. It was unknown whether Dermer met Trump, according to a pool report.