Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced that he will vote against the nomination of David Friedman as U.S. Ambassador to Israel at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation vote on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday, the committee’s Ranking Democratic Member noted that Friedman’s candidacy contradicts the “bipartisan tradition” of U.S. support for Israel.

Cardin said he was further troubled by Friedman’s written remarks opposing the two-state solution, adding that Friedman would be unable to serve as a “unifying force” and lacks “credibility.”

“Following extensive consideration of Mr. Friedman’s record and taking into account his statements during his nomination hearing, I have concluded that his past record would make it very difficult for him to serve as that unifying force,” he stated.