Don’t know – only time will tell. If I had that kind of crystal ball, my bank account would be a lot bigger. No matter what side of the aisle you are on, talking about Peace is a step in the right direction – nu (well)?
As President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu stood together after their first meeting, many Jews were hopeful. There were lots of kisses and hugs. Apparently, President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been friends for years. The Prime Minister even made reference during his news conference to the fact that he has known Jared Kushner since he was a not so little boy – referring to the fact that Mr. Kushner was always tall. President Trump heard with pride as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “There is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish state than President Donald Trump.” This seemed like it had potential.
President Trump said many encouraging things. He praised Israel and said that it was inspiring. He hit some key Jewish concerns like the adversarial role the United Nations has played in one-sided condemnations of Israel – seeming to forget about the daily Palestinian terrorism inflicted on Israel. He talked about the fact that Palestinian schools are named after terrorists and the families of the suicide bombers are paid salaries in recognition of their bravery. He talked about the psychologically damaging education of hatred and the intention to indoctrinate their youth into the goal of the destruction of Israel and denying our right to the land.
I loved when Netanyahu made the comment about the Chinese and Japanese people being referred to in those terms, because their homeland was in China and Japan, respectively. He said, “Jews are not foreign colonialists, they are called Jews because they come from Judea” – located in Israel.
President Trump acknowledged that “We will never forget what the Jewish people have endured,” which was a relief given what happened on International Holocaust Remembrance Day .
The relationship reminded me of newlyweds – once the celebration and honeymoon is over and the guests have gone home – the real work of a marriage begins. Can these two work together? Will the in-laws disguised as each of their countries, be supportive or pull them apart?
After all Netanyahu lives in a very rough neighborhood. Will Trump be able to drag the Palestinians to the bargaining table finally? It sounds like he wants to – it also seems like it would take a miracle. The Palestinians have refused to talk for years. Is President Trump a masterful magician or more of a slight of hand kind of guy? How different life might have been, if the Palestinians had been at least willing to negotiate.
Can he bring Peace? Wouldn’t that be incredible? Mr. Trump is known for his vast ego – however, anyone to accomplish anything, has to believe that they can – it’s a start. Combined with Netanyahu bringing up the possibility that “for the first time in my lifetime and that of Israel, Arab countries see Israel not as an enemy, but increasingly as an ally.” Maybe there is hope for Peace.
Jews look at President Trump, and they’re not seeing through the bride’s eyes – more like the scrutiny of the father-in-law – there’s things he likes about his new son-in-law and others he doesn’t. Besides, Jews are not one size fits all – in a group of 3, there are probably 7 opinions.
Yes, President Trump blithely made some grand statements – clearly Netanyahu likes Trump’s stance on Iran, but other statements left everyone guessing on which side of the fence he would live. Or if he intended to set up roots in one house, and occasionally take vacations at the beach house – President Trump didn’t tip his hat to a preference …
“I’m looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like,” Trump said at the joint news conference with Netanyahu. “I can live with either one.” The statement was glib but I couldn’t help but think of Dr. Seuss’s – One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – a silly rhyme that didn’t seem to say much.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex, overwhelming mess brilliant researchers have studied for years. We couldn’t expect anyone to jump in understanding every nuance. One state – two state – old settlements – cut back on new settlements – where do we place that border line? So many questions to find solutions for. Ego aside – and I know that may be a fantasy, it’s essential Middle East scholars help him find solutions.
Then there’s the increasingly nonsensical responses to challenges about his administration’s perceived potential for anti-Semitism and possible xenophobia. First answered by swerving ninety degrees and talking about his Electoral College results – huh? Then Thursday – well poor Jake Turx, he stepped in a whole pile of defensive … only Mr. Turx hadn’t attacked.
Mr. Turx, the Orthodox Israeli reporter from Ami Magazine, began by blowing a kiss to President Trump saying, “We understand you have Jewish grandchildren. You are their zayde,” – Yiddish for grandfather. After all, this was a big deal to be invited here with the other big wig reporters, for the first time. He was being polite like his mother taught him, and he wanted to be invited back again.
At that, Mr. Trump nodded slightly, and said, “Thank you.” Apparently though, President Trump smelled danger … Hmmm, watch out here, this guy’s saying something nice, clearly, I must protect myself…
“However, what we are concerned about and what we haven’t really heard being addressed is an uptick in anti-Semitism and how the government is planning to take care of it. There’s been a report out that 48 bomb threats have been made against Jewish centers all across the country in the last couple of weeks. There are people committing anti-Semitic acts or threatening to——”
Mr. Trump interrupted, and said that it was “not a fair question” and then unceremoniously told him to “Sit down!”
Mr. Trump – he didn’t say those committing these heinous crimes were your voters or roaming down the halls of the White House – is that what you heard?
President Trump’s gloves were on, and he was about to fight the good fight – he’ll show that little pipsqueak reporter…only if he had truly listened, he would have realized, there was no fight – just concern about the threats to Jews, right here in our own country, since he’d taken office.
President Trump jumped the gun, “So here’s the story, folks. No. 1, I am the least anti-Semitic person that you’ve ever seen in your entire life. No. 2, racism, the least racist person.”
In the final round, our President, accused the shocked reporter of lying, and told him to be “Quiet, quiet, quiet!” A kind of Alice in Wonderland, Queen of Hearts moment.
Truly listening is a skill to be practiced. We’ve all done it. How many times when a friend was talking to you, do you drift off or wonder – When are they going to shut up, so I can say what I want to say?
Over the last couple years, I’ve noticed in direct proportion to my husband’s indignant observations – my listening skills could use work. How often you’re not really listening, but judging what they are saying, waiting for your next move like a fencing champ, itching to lunge forward and attack your adversary? We all see through our own perceptions and distortions – created by us – not others.
Unfortunately, the president’s faux pas was done on the world’s stage. Only time will tell if their friendship will continue to blossom or they’ll end up like most people, getting a divorce. Let’s hope for the Middle East’s sake, it’s a match made in heaven.