“Hopes for Peace - On Why a Trump Presidency might turn around the situation in the region: During the years 2016-2020 I struggled to explain to American audiences that from the very narrow and selfish perspective of an Israeli, and putting aside everything that was going on in the US, the Trump Administration policies in the Middle East were nothing short of perfect. They included two key pillars: Basing the American exit from the Middle East on support for Israel and Gulf allies rather than Iran, and, more to my expertise, sending a clear message to Palestinians and other Arab nations that enough is enough - they need to start coming to terms with Israel's past victories in 1948 and 1967. This second message was conveyed through a series of important policies from defunding UNRWA, closing down the PLO office in DC, removing some PA funding, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and recognizing the Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory. This second message was also augmented through a Peace Plan that let the Palestinians know that they can have a state, sovereignty and economic prosperity if they actually pursue it (to which, true to form, they responded with "no, no and a thousand times no"). It is no coincidence then that the Trump Administration ended its first four term with four peace agreements between Israel and Arab/Islamic countries and momentum for more. The Biden Administration, in an act that I repeatedly described in real time as juvenile, undid almost all of the Trump Administration policies. They refunded UNRWA and other Palestinian causes, with no strings attached (Congress made it a bit more difficult), turned a cold shoulder to the Abraham Accords (for a year, refusing to even call them that), and went back to a long and failed policy of indulging Palestinians and saving them from any reckoning with their past defeats, and the absolute destruction that is their total ideology of no Jewish state in any borders. It is therefore also no coincidence that the Biden/Harris administration ends its term on the cusp of a regional war. Unfortunately, even after the October 7th massacre and invasion, with all the love that President Biden personally and truly has for Israel, the policies undertaken by the administration extended the war and the suffering, by refusing to state that the war must end with a clear Israeli victory, Hamas/Gaza surrender, full release of hostages, and that Israel is under no obligation to supply its enemies before they surrender and release the hostages. So as a new Trump administration is being formed, my hope for a change in the situation, even for peace, rest on the expectation that this administration will again emphasize support for Israel and Gulf countries over Iran, defund UNRWA completely and hopefully this time will mobilize more countries to do the same, make it clear that Israel has US backing to win the war, and that Hamas/Gaza is expected to surrender and release the hostages, that Israel is under no obligation to supply an enemy before it surrenders and as it holds hostages, that Lebanon needs to make full peace with Israel rather than another worse than useless UN resolution, and that Palestinians and other Arab countries can enjoy sovereignty, peace and prosperity when they finally finally finally understand not only that Israel is here to stay, but that the Jewish people, in building their sovereign state in the Land of Israel, are home.”
The Iranian rial already is plummeting, markets know that trump isnt going to coddle the Mullahs. This may actually bring sense to the Middle East. Of course it could also spur the Mullahs to fast track a nuclear bomb, but in all honesty they were going to get themselves a bomb no matter what. However, if they can be weakened through sanctions and other means then perhaps the Iranian people can overthrow them. Trump did bring the Abraham Accords, and perhaps he can complete the agreement with saudi Arabia. Remember because Trump had accomplished the Accords, the Biden administration gave it all short shrift for the first years of his administration, and in fact tried to undermine them.
And as far as the Palestinians, without Iran causing all kinds of horror around the area, there may be a viable Palestinian leadership that could actually bring some kind of movement towards a Palestinian state. Now this will also not happen for quite awhile. The society will need to be deradicalized the same way the germans were denazified, but it worked. The first thing is to get rid of UNRWA and role the Palestinians into UNHCR and treat them like all other refugees around the world.
To that extent Trump is not going to take crap from the UN and perhaps his administration will put that organization of antisemites in their place. Stopping sending tens of millions of dollars to an organization that is virulently antifreedom is not a bad idea.
Anyway this is my silver lining as far as the Israel-Iran war. I will settle for a cowed iran and a Palestinian society that doesnt think its ok to rape 12 year olds to death because they are Jews. Remember polling says over 90% of Palestinians think October 7 was cool beans.
No need to struggle so, Pat, searching for a silver lining in Trump’s election; when it comes to Israel, it shines brightly and clearly.
Trump has no constituency akin to the pro-Hamas “Squad” in the Democratic party he must answer to. He has been pretty clear on his views on Israel and Gaza. This is unequivocally good for Israel compared to 4 years of President Harris.
The danger is that Trump is not a friend of Israel. He is friend to no-one except his own ego. Whatever wealthy potentate strokes his childish narcissism the most will be able to manipulate him. Add his delusion that he can "make a deal" with anyone and you have the makings of disaster not just for Israel but for all allies of the US. If he ever feels slighted... meaning he wasn't given enough praise, good press, front row seats...he will take his temper tantrum out on even the most committed of America's friends and gladly accept whatever graft the dictator de jour is serving up to lure the American President into complacency on whatever belligerent design said dictator may have in mind.
David, exactly! Brilliantly stated. I just returned home from listening to Bernard-Henri Levi speaking here in Vancouver. This is essentially what he said in different words. You are so exactly right. He'll be Israel's greatest friend -- until someone or something pisses him off. and then he'll turn on them like a mad dog. Because that's what he does. I do not believe he has any core principles and the certainty that he will be a friend to Israel is some pretty thin gruel to feast on given all the potential menu items that come along with that "friendship."
It may be Trump's narcissism that keeps him being a fierce defender of Israel. If we know that flattering Trump keeps him on side, then surely Bibi knows this. In what universe would he not kiss Trump's ass to keep him happy? Also, Trump's favorite child is a strong Zionist, and he does not want to alienate her. That's another selfish reason for Trump to remain a strong ally to Israel.
Used to believe this as well, however I have confidence that the solid team that surrounds him, Elon included, will keep him in check. It may be wishful thinking, but he seems to have grown, mellowed and matured, perhaps as a result of the assassination attempts on his life?
“If you hold that government is inherently bad, why would you send good people there?”
The idea is limited government. Not that government itself is inherently bad, but that power is inherently prone to abuse. Government is necessary to fulfill certain functions that only government can (like defense, foreign policy, police force). Humans living without government choose government. See feudalism. But when government expands into anything private citizens can do, government does it poorly. By growing, the added power aggrandized by the government makes it more likely to abuse the populace.
Why send good people to government if the concept of government is inherently prone to abuse? To ensure that government sticks to its core functions.
I know you think what you think, but I appreciate a good faith explanation even when I disagree. I assume that you would too.
Thank you Rivka. I clearly over-generalized (is "over-generalize" a word?) ... I could have been more clear about "limited government" versus government as inherently bad. I personally believe government can be a force for good (can be!) and so I do not agree with the Republican approach broadly, but your point is appreciated.
I am American and we just had a contentious election. My views are free market and conservative, generally. I know yours are progressive. I admire your writing and your thought process on antisemitism so much.
With a range from a minimal safety net to a total redistribution of wealth, there is a vast spectrum of points as to how much the government “helps” financially and how much the government stays out of people’s way. Even if perspectives vary wildly, there are points of compromise. There’s a middle somewhere-a negotiated, nuanced middle with no screaming and a lot of details. Even abortion, so polarizing, has a pretty broad resting place the vast majority of Americans would be comfortable with. My point is, why I am bothering you here, is that even for two viewpoints as far apart as yours and mine, there is usually a meeting point if people are clear on their goals and speak with respect. I believe that.
I actually think what it came down to was masses of people who rejected lying and cheating as means to an end: calling racism "anti-racism", associating DEI do with equality rather than enforced conformity, promoting undeserving men who crash women's spaces, manipulating information to favour the powerful, advancing the tenured rather than the truthful, and on and on. It was a rejection of Newspeak, of Orwellian takeover, even though it's predictably being cast by its detractors as a victory of racism, sexism, homophobia, white nationalism, and (of course) Jewish supremacism (as capstone of the whole fever-dream, for those most feverish).
From what I can see (and I'm a formerly lifelong left-leaner and all-around misfit, so I'm hardly temperamentally pro-conservative), that has no connection with reality. It was a victory for realism, a triumph of reality itself. And even if it inevitably brings along a contingent of nasty scumbags as well (what movement is free of them?), they are precisely who didn't rule the day. Which is why the privileged, petrified left-liberal-progressive mainstream is claiming the opposite. (Can you tell I'm a disaffected Lib-NDP voter?)
Israel and the Jewish people can only benefit by a reality-based viewpoint. As they've always protested.
"The Israelis rarely refuse (and indeed have no need to refuse) a full, impartial inquiry, knowing as they do that if the matter at issue were to be judged on points of fact or law their case would usually be upheld. But they have to realize that their enemies are determined to avoid such an inquiry, as incompatible with their own one-sided view of the reality of facts and the validity of law." [Jacques Givet, "The Anti-Zionist Complex", 89]
Thank you for your writing! It's very much appreciated.
You said the quiet thought out loud. In my mind there is no silver lining. But I wondered what would happen now. I wondered if something.... something.... might move. However like you so clearly said.... there is danger that lies with what's coming as well. Thank you as always for thinking things through and sharing them so articulately. This one's hard.
Harris/Walz likely would have been a disaster for Israel and American Jews, with the Squad having her ear. But that doesn’t negate that Trump met with and praised the Michigan Muslims/Islamists at least twice prior to the election, and in his acceptance speech election night Trump thanked “Arab Americans” and “Muslim Americans” but did not mention Jews at all.
Trump may end up being good for Israel and the Jews, but there is no guarantee of that, and any fellow Jews or Zionists who believe he’s our savior are telling themselves what they want to hear. All we really have is hope.
Trump stood up to Iran when he took the US out of the Obama treaty and imposed sanctions. He presided over the Abraham Accords and under Trump Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the verge of a peace agreement. Biden reinstated the treaty which emboldened Hamas to attack on October 7. The election of Trump is the best thing that could have happened for Israel
What silver lining - there's no cloud! The only Jews who are NOT extatic about Trump's win are the self-hating anti Zionists. His Abraham Accords succeeded because he was the first mediator to ignore the Palestinians, and then defund them. Nobody before him believed that peace was possible without first considering the Palestinians' grievances - which, as you said, were designed to fool the West. Trump went ahead without them, and if he hadn't been cheated out of the reelection in 2020 (he was - just look at the chart of the number of voters over the past four elections), Saudi Arabia and likely other countries would have been on board, and Hamas would have been sitting in tunnels, without enough money or Iranian and Russian support to carry out a raid. Yes, Russian - Putin wanted to take world's attention and resources away from the war in Ukraine, which also would not have happened under Trump. Oct 7 is Putin's birthday - not a coincidence.
You may be right. Surely Biden's waffling and appeasing and toothless tough-talking prolonged the Gaza war and led to countless Israeli and Palestinian deaths that simply wouldn't have happened if Israel's enemies had been confronted with decisiveness. I say this as a Democrat. And I am glad that unlike Biden/Harris, Trump will not have any advisors sympathetic to radical Islam (at least I think he won't). What worries me in particular about Trump (beyond his general loathsomeness) are the facts that he can be bought and he's vindictive. If the Muslim community were to, say, direct Qatari cash into Trump's pockets, Jewish money couldn't compete by orders of magnitude. As to his vindictiveness, the Muslim community voted for him and the Jewish community did not. While he did a great deal for Israel his last term, can we extrapolate and assume he will continue in his second? Wouldn't it be in character for him to stick it to Israel in revenge for the lack of Jewish support? The only thing that makes me think Trump may do the right thing is that presumably Iran attempted to assassinate him, and his personal vendetta may lead him to attack or weaken Iran for his own reasons, not for the benefit of Israel, but who cares about the motive if the results are the same.
Thanks Pat and the fab previous Commenters on this post. I only met your writing minutes ago via today's (Nov 11) essay regarding the most recent crime in Amsterdam juxtaposed to Kristallnacht and other items you referred to. Both essays are fine, informed, creative, cantankerous writings. Being of a cantankerous ilk myself consider that label a compliment. At least intended as such. I'm a fan of Joshua Hoffman and The Future of Jewish guests included. It has been a godsend since late October. T-man is a phenomenon. There are already numerous "bun fights" (as is said in Australia in our schoolboy style Parliament) of his actually honorably taking command immediately. Thank God. But... what has God in mind this time????? "Only the Shadow knows". There's a LOT going on. One horrible uprising is McConnell's initiated a Secret Ballot to choose a new Speaker of the House. God help us all. We're going to need Divine Interventions of all sorts including Human ingenuity like never before or never under these precise conditions. There is a limit to comparing our "best of times and worst of times" to that of others. From October 8, 2023 I've written numerous times that Jewish persons of all and every persuasion must engage and dig in to "The BIG Lesson". That I view as dozens or a hundred personal lessons for each of us and those who align with the Jewish People. I also propose with that a permanent "Now What"? Although I grew up dealing with 'antisemitism' I nearly never have used that as a word to utter or to proclaim or to stand next to if not even to hide behind. I know what it is. In its many variations. I've even studied it. But I saw that word being abused by 'The Us' and our numerous well intended Jewish organizations of all sorts. Additionally, I rarely mention or write about 'holocaust'. Again, I think there are decades of invoking that into a norm of overuse. Again even by our 100s or 100Os of serious and well meaning Jewish organizations. Recently in an interview Ruth H. Wisse - Professor of Yiddish Studies and Literature explained that the abundance of holocaust museums have likely misdirected unintentionally the needed Lesson which is, according to Prof. R. Wisse the Lessons of Judaism and therefore the Gifts that the Jewish People, Culture, Religion, etc. have brought to Civilization. For this year and previously as an Elder and fledgling learner, it seems to me that 'The We' i.e. Jews of most persuasions had 'the baby thrown out with the bathwater' by themselves, or their Parents, or Grandparents or further. The baby being the Torah in all senses of that word's meanings. So talk, banter, writings galore, well meaning intentions, and over glorification of our Gifts of the intellectual and creative expressions which we clearly possess in abundance, are to a fault continually leading as astray into the fray of self-expression and (gulp, urp, burp, belch, yeech... ) P-o-l-i-t-i-c-s. All those goodly attributes may or may not be godly. We write and talk ourselves continually awry from the real source of ourselves, our Culture, our 'genius' and that is, according to little old me... Torah and all its writings, teachings, Wisdom, and most importantly the Guidance that we surely have always needed. Possibly, quite possibly, now more than ever each of us (and those who align with us) needs to face "The BIG Lesson". Now what? That's up to each of us. But it is Our Time to 'face the music and dance'. One last absurd sentence or so. I disagreed from the start with memes such as 'the most Jewish deaths in one day since the Holocaust', for example. And, 'Free the Hostages'. Not that I didn't want them freed immediately and in ideal condition!!!!! But I felt as Prof. Wisse pointed out that those things made us point our energies into the less than advantageous approach. Culturally those quips indicate a lot of the same lesson i.e. be careful where we put our verbal, vocal, written, intellectual, emotional energies. The Amidah is a unique tool for succinctly learning that/those lesson(s).
In Dr Einat Wilf’s words:
“Hopes for Peace - On Why a Trump Presidency might turn around the situation in the region: During the years 2016-2020 I struggled to explain to American audiences that from the very narrow and selfish perspective of an Israeli, and putting aside everything that was going on in the US, the Trump Administration policies in the Middle East were nothing short of perfect. They included two key pillars: Basing the American exit from the Middle East on support for Israel and Gulf allies rather than Iran, and, more to my expertise, sending a clear message to Palestinians and other Arab nations that enough is enough - they need to start coming to terms with Israel's past victories in 1948 and 1967. This second message was conveyed through a series of important policies from defunding UNRWA, closing down the PLO office in DC, removing some PA funding, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and recognizing the Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory. This second message was also augmented through a Peace Plan that let the Palestinians know that they can have a state, sovereignty and economic prosperity if they actually pursue it (to which, true to form, they responded with "no, no and a thousand times no"). It is no coincidence then that the Trump Administration ended its first four term with four peace agreements between Israel and Arab/Islamic countries and momentum for more. The Biden Administration, in an act that I repeatedly described in real time as juvenile, undid almost all of the Trump Administration policies. They refunded UNRWA and other Palestinian causes, with no strings attached (Congress made it a bit more difficult), turned a cold shoulder to the Abraham Accords (for a year, refusing to even call them that), and went back to a long and failed policy of indulging Palestinians and saving them from any reckoning with their past defeats, and the absolute destruction that is their total ideology of no Jewish state in any borders. It is therefore also no coincidence that the Biden/Harris administration ends its term on the cusp of a regional war. Unfortunately, even after the October 7th massacre and invasion, with all the love that President Biden personally and truly has for Israel, the policies undertaken by the administration extended the war and the suffering, by refusing to state that the war must end with a clear Israeli victory, Hamas/Gaza surrender, full release of hostages, and that Israel is under no obligation to supply its enemies before they surrender and release the hostages. So as a new Trump administration is being formed, my hope for a change in the situation, even for peace, rest on the expectation that this administration will again emphasize support for Israel and Gulf countries over Iran, defund UNRWA completely and hopefully this time will mobilize more countries to do the same, make it clear that Israel has US backing to win the war, and that Hamas/Gaza is expected to surrender and release the hostages, that Israel is under no obligation to supply an enemy before it surrenders and as it holds hostages, that Lebanon needs to make full peace with Israel rather than another worse than useless UN resolution, and that Palestinians and other Arab countries can enjoy sovereignty, peace and prosperity when they finally finally finally understand not only that Israel is here to stay, but that the Jewish people, in building their sovereign state in the Land of Israel, are home.”
That is the silver lining
Wow. I have a great deal of admiration for Einat Wilf. THank you for bringing this to my attention. A very meaningful and important perspective!
The Iranian rial already is plummeting, markets know that trump isnt going to coddle the Mullahs. This may actually bring sense to the Middle East. Of course it could also spur the Mullahs to fast track a nuclear bomb, but in all honesty they were going to get themselves a bomb no matter what. However, if they can be weakened through sanctions and other means then perhaps the Iranian people can overthrow them. Trump did bring the Abraham Accords, and perhaps he can complete the agreement with saudi Arabia. Remember because Trump had accomplished the Accords, the Biden administration gave it all short shrift for the first years of his administration, and in fact tried to undermine them.
And as far as the Palestinians, without Iran causing all kinds of horror around the area, there may be a viable Palestinian leadership that could actually bring some kind of movement towards a Palestinian state. Now this will also not happen for quite awhile. The society will need to be deradicalized the same way the germans were denazified, but it worked. The first thing is to get rid of UNRWA and role the Palestinians into UNHCR and treat them like all other refugees around the world.
To that extent Trump is not going to take crap from the UN and perhaps his administration will put that organization of antisemites in their place. Stopping sending tens of millions of dollars to an organization that is virulently antifreedom is not a bad idea.
Anyway this is my silver lining as far as the Israel-Iran war. I will settle for a cowed iran and a Palestinian society that doesnt think its ok to rape 12 year olds to death because they are Jews. Remember polling says over 90% of Palestinians think October 7 was cool beans.
No need to struggle so, Pat, searching for a silver lining in Trump’s election; when it comes to Israel, it shines brightly and clearly.
Trump has no constituency akin to the pro-Hamas “Squad” in the Democratic party he must answer to. He has been pretty clear on his views on Israel and Gaza. This is unequivocally good for Israel compared to 4 years of President Harris.
The danger is that Trump is not a friend of Israel. He is friend to no-one except his own ego. Whatever wealthy potentate strokes his childish narcissism the most will be able to manipulate him. Add his delusion that he can "make a deal" with anyone and you have the makings of disaster not just for Israel but for all allies of the US. If he ever feels slighted... meaning he wasn't given enough praise, good press, front row seats...he will take his temper tantrum out on even the most committed of America's friends and gladly accept whatever graft the dictator de jour is serving up to lure the American President into complacency on whatever belligerent design said dictator may have in mind.
David, exactly! Brilliantly stated. I just returned home from listening to Bernard-Henri Levi speaking here in Vancouver. This is essentially what he said in different words. You are so exactly right. He'll be Israel's greatest friend -- until someone or something pisses him off. and then he'll turn on them like a mad dog. Because that's what he does. I do not believe he has any core principles and the certainty that he will be a friend to Israel is some pretty thin gruel to feast on given all the potential menu items that come along with that "friendship."
It may be Trump's narcissism that keeps him being a fierce defender of Israel. If we know that flattering Trump keeps him on side, then surely Bibi knows this. In what universe would he not kiss Trump's ass to keep him happy? Also, Trump's favorite child is a strong Zionist, and he does not want to alienate her. That's another selfish reason for Trump to remain a strong ally to Israel.
Talking about narcissism, I think we have been saved from exactly that yesterday!
Used to believe this as well, however I have confidence that the solid team that surrounds him, Elon included, will keep him in check. It may be wishful thinking, but he seems to have grown, mellowed and matured, perhaps as a result of the assassination attempts on his life?
It does sound like wishful thinking. But I hope you are correct.
“If you hold that government is inherently bad, why would you send good people there?”
The idea is limited government. Not that government itself is inherently bad, but that power is inherently prone to abuse. Government is necessary to fulfill certain functions that only government can (like defense, foreign policy, police force). Humans living without government choose government. See feudalism. But when government expands into anything private citizens can do, government does it poorly. By growing, the added power aggrandized by the government makes it more likely to abuse the populace.
Why send good people to government if the concept of government is inherently prone to abuse? To ensure that government sticks to its core functions.
I know you think what you think, but I appreciate a good faith explanation even when I disagree. I assume that you would too.
Thank you Rivka. I clearly over-generalized (is "over-generalize" a word?) ... I could have been more clear about "limited government" versus government as inherently bad. I personally believe government can be a force for good (can be!) and so I do not agree with the Republican approach broadly, but your point is appreciated.
I am American and we just had a contentious election. My views are free market and conservative, generally. I know yours are progressive. I admire your writing and your thought process on antisemitism so much.
With a range from a minimal safety net to a total redistribution of wealth, there is a vast spectrum of points as to how much the government “helps” financially and how much the government stays out of people’s way. Even if perspectives vary wildly, there are points of compromise. There’s a middle somewhere-a negotiated, nuanced middle with no screaming and a lot of details. Even abortion, so polarizing, has a pretty broad resting place the vast majority of Americans would be comfortable with. My point is, why I am bothering you here, is that even for two viewpoints as far apart as yours and mine, there is usually a meeting point if people are clear on their goals and speak with respect. I believe that.
Thank You for being civil in disagreement.
I definitely have gotten that that’s your viewpoint from reading your writing.
As a very liberal supporter of Israel I was in a quandary before election. I guess that we will see what Trump has in mind.
We have no choice. Hope for the best. Expect ... the unpredictable.
I actually think what it came down to was masses of people who rejected lying and cheating as means to an end: calling racism "anti-racism", associating DEI do with equality rather than enforced conformity, promoting undeserving men who crash women's spaces, manipulating information to favour the powerful, advancing the tenured rather than the truthful, and on and on. It was a rejection of Newspeak, of Orwellian takeover, even though it's predictably being cast by its detractors as a victory of racism, sexism, homophobia, white nationalism, and (of course) Jewish supremacism (as capstone of the whole fever-dream, for those most feverish).
From what I can see (and I'm a formerly lifelong left-leaner and all-around misfit, so I'm hardly temperamentally pro-conservative), that has no connection with reality. It was a victory for realism, a triumph of reality itself. And even if it inevitably brings along a contingent of nasty scumbags as well (what movement is free of them?), they are precisely who didn't rule the day. Which is why the privileged, petrified left-liberal-progressive mainstream is claiming the opposite. (Can you tell I'm a disaffected Lib-NDP voter?)
Israel and the Jewish people can only benefit by a reality-based viewpoint. As they've always protested.
"The Israelis rarely refuse (and indeed have no need to refuse) a full, impartial inquiry, knowing as they do that if the matter at issue were to be judged on points of fact or law their case would usually be upheld. But they have to realize that their enemies are determined to avoid such an inquiry, as incompatible with their own one-sided view of the reality of facts and the validity of law." [Jacques Givet, "The Anti-Zionist Complex", 89]
Thank you for your writing! It's very much appreciated.
You said the quiet thought out loud. In my mind there is no silver lining. But I wondered what would happen now. I wondered if something.... something.... might move. However like you so clearly said.... there is danger that lies with what's coming as well. Thank you as always for thinking things through and sharing them so articulately. This one's hard.
Thank you Bari. It's a hard moment to be alive but it's better than the alternative.
Is this really a hard moment to be alive? As a gay man, are you serious about that? What other time in the past would you rather have lived?
I think it is a hard moment to be a live for a lot of poople. Jewish people and those who care about them, especially.
Harris/Walz likely would have been a disaster for Israel and American Jews, with the Squad having her ear. But that doesn’t negate that Trump met with and praised the Michigan Muslims/Islamists at least twice prior to the election, and in his acceptance speech election night Trump thanked “Arab Americans” and “Muslim Americans” but did not mention Jews at all.
Trump may end up being good for Israel and the Jews, but there is no guarantee of that, and any fellow Jews or Zionists who believe he’s our savior are telling themselves what they want to hear. All we really have is hope.
“All we really have is hope” may be the wisest assessment I have heard so far!
Trump stood up to Iran when he took the US out of the Obama treaty and imposed sanctions. He presided over the Abraham Accords and under Trump Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the verge of a peace agreement. Biden reinstated the treaty which emboldened Hamas to attack on October 7. The election of Trump is the best thing that could have happened for Israel
I for one wholeheartedly agree 👍💯
What silver lining - there's no cloud! The only Jews who are NOT extatic about Trump's win are the self-hating anti Zionists. His Abraham Accords succeeded because he was the first mediator to ignore the Palestinians, and then defund them. Nobody before him believed that peace was possible without first considering the Palestinians' grievances - which, as you said, were designed to fool the West. Trump went ahead without them, and if he hadn't been cheated out of the reelection in 2020 (he was - just look at the chart of the number of voters over the past four elections), Saudi Arabia and likely other countries would have been on board, and Hamas would have been sitting in tunnels, without enough money or Iranian and Russian support to carry out a raid. Yes, Russian - Putin wanted to take world's attention and resources away from the war in Ukraine, which also would not have happened under Trump. Oct 7 is Putin's birthday - not a coincidence.
very good - thanks
You may be right. Surely Biden's waffling and appeasing and toothless tough-talking prolonged the Gaza war and led to countless Israeli and Palestinian deaths that simply wouldn't have happened if Israel's enemies had been confronted with decisiveness. I say this as a Democrat. And I am glad that unlike Biden/Harris, Trump will not have any advisors sympathetic to radical Islam (at least I think he won't). What worries me in particular about Trump (beyond his general loathsomeness) are the facts that he can be bought and he's vindictive. If the Muslim community were to, say, direct Qatari cash into Trump's pockets, Jewish money couldn't compete by orders of magnitude. As to his vindictiveness, the Muslim community voted for him and the Jewish community did not. While he did a great deal for Israel his last term, can we extrapolate and assume he will continue in his second? Wouldn't it be in character for him to stick it to Israel in revenge for the lack of Jewish support? The only thing that makes me think Trump may do the right thing is that presumably Iran attempted to assassinate him, and his personal vendetta may lead him to attack or weaken Iran for his own reasons, not for the benefit of Israel, but who cares about the motive if the results are the same.
Thanks Pat and the fab previous Commenters on this post. I only met your writing minutes ago via today's (Nov 11) essay regarding the most recent crime in Amsterdam juxtaposed to Kristallnacht and other items you referred to. Both essays are fine, informed, creative, cantankerous writings. Being of a cantankerous ilk myself consider that label a compliment. At least intended as such. I'm a fan of Joshua Hoffman and The Future of Jewish guests included. It has been a godsend since late October. T-man is a phenomenon. There are already numerous "bun fights" (as is said in Australia in our schoolboy style Parliament) of his actually honorably taking command immediately. Thank God. But... what has God in mind this time????? "Only the Shadow knows". There's a LOT going on. One horrible uprising is McConnell's initiated a Secret Ballot to choose a new Speaker of the House. God help us all. We're going to need Divine Interventions of all sorts including Human ingenuity like never before or never under these precise conditions. There is a limit to comparing our "best of times and worst of times" to that of others. From October 8, 2023 I've written numerous times that Jewish persons of all and every persuasion must engage and dig in to "The BIG Lesson". That I view as dozens or a hundred personal lessons for each of us and those who align with the Jewish People. I also propose with that a permanent "Now What"? Although I grew up dealing with 'antisemitism' I nearly never have used that as a word to utter or to proclaim or to stand next to if not even to hide behind. I know what it is. In its many variations. I've even studied it. But I saw that word being abused by 'The Us' and our numerous well intended Jewish organizations of all sorts. Additionally, I rarely mention or write about 'holocaust'. Again, I think there are decades of invoking that into a norm of overuse. Again even by our 100s or 100Os of serious and well meaning Jewish organizations. Recently in an interview Ruth H. Wisse - Professor of Yiddish Studies and Literature explained that the abundance of holocaust museums have likely misdirected unintentionally the needed Lesson which is, according to Prof. R. Wisse the Lessons of Judaism and therefore the Gifts that the Jewish People, Culture, Religion, etc. have brought to Civilization. For this year and previously as an Elder and fledgling learner, it seems to me that 'The We' i.e. Jews of most persuasions had 'the baby thrown out with the bathwater' by themselves, or their Parents, or Grandparents or further. The baby being the Torah in all senses of that word's meanings. So talk, banter, writings galore, well meaning intentions, and over glorification of our Gifts of the intellectual and creative expressions which we clearly possess in abundance, are to a fault continually leading as astray into the fray of self-expression and (gulp, urp, burp, belch, yeech... ) P-o-l-i-t-i-c-s. All those goodly attributes may or may not be godly. We write and talk ourselves continually awry from the real source of ourselves, our Culture, our 'genius' and that is, according to little old me... Torah and all its writings, teachings, Wisdom, and most importantly the Guidance that we surely have always needed. Possibly, quite possibly, now more than ever each of us (and those who align with us) needs to face "The BIG Lesson". Now what? That's up to each of us. But it is Our Time to 'face the music and dance'. One last absurd sentence or so. I disagreed from the start with memes such as 'the most Jewish deaths in one day since the Holocaust', for example. And, 'Free the Hostages'. Not that I didn't want them freed immediately and in ideal condition!!!!! But I felt as Prof. Wisse pointed out that those things made us point our energies into the less than advantageous approach. Culturally those quips indicate a lot of the same lesson i.e. be careful where we put our verbal, vocal, written, intellectual, emotional energies. The Amidah is a unique tool for succinctly learning that/those lesson(s).