American Jews And Israel

Unqualified And Controversial Trump Appointments Abound In Early Selections!

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When one observes Donald Trump’s early appointments, one concludes that he has decided to name unqualified individuals to a multitude of major positions.

When one can say that Florida Senator Marco Rubio becoming Secretary of State is the “best” appointment of a horrendous list, that summarizes what a disaster the nation is facing!

Rubio has 14 years of Senate experience, and is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and while no great intellectual, he meets the minimum requirements to lead our foreign policy establishment, but is no star in any sense.

But then, one looks at other appointments:

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News Host, as Secretary of Defense
Kristi Noem, South Dakota Governor, as Secretary of Homeland Security
Elise Stafanek, NY Congresswoman, as United Nations Ambassador
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor, as US Ambassador to Israel
Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii as Director Of National Intelligence
Lee Zeldin, former NY Congressman, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

Pete Hegseth is a total surprise to the Pentagon with no real credentials to head the Pentagon.

Kristi Noem has ZERO experience to head Homeland Security, and has been an embarrassment as Governor of a very small state, South Dakota.

Elise Stefanik is an ultimate example of an individual who transformed, conveniently, from being a moderate Republican to a MAGA Republican, as a way to advance her career.

Mike Huckabee is a Christian Zionist, whose ultimate aim is to convert Jews to his radical brand of Christianity, the last thing that American Jews would support, but may be acceptable to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he works to take over the Palestinian territories.

Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic Presidential contender, who has gone over to the Republican Party, after going off the rails in her foreign policy views, and now will be more powerful over intelligence gathering than anyone else .

Lee Zeldin has no desire to promote environmental protection, so can be described as a fox put into a chicken coop.

It seems clear that the major qualification to be in the Trump Cabinet is to be slavishly loyal to his agenda, with no concept of considering what is constitutional and legitimate!

Add to this list Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possibly being Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Billionaire Elon Musk everywhere, trying to have a major influence.

This list will become even more controversial as the days pass, and fireworks are possible on some of the appointments.

And now, as I am writing, controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been chosen to be Attorney General, which would seem extremely divisive.

It also means now THREE Republican House members, including Mike Waltz of Florida as National Security Adviser, along with Stefanik and Gaetz, will be removed from that chamber, endangering, at least for the short term, having a Republican majority, which seems a lunatic move!

The last 24 hours have been shocking, and will continue to be in the coming hours and days!

Alarming Rise Of Antisemitism In Year Since October 7 Massacre In Israel!

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Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti Defamation League has made clear the alarming rising of antisemitism that has emerged since the October 7 Massacre in Israel perpetrated by Hamas, and that has led to a war causing massive destruction and death totals since a year ago.

Antisemitism is nothing new, but the multiplied examples of such hatred is very horrifying, as Jews have long had to deal with hatred, both within America and worldwide.

The greatest massacre of Jews since the Nazi Holocaust of World War II perpetrated by Adolf Hitler was shocking to Jews and their supporters worldwide, and regrettably has led to the mass loss of life in Gaza, the West Bank, and now Beirut, Lebanon, as Israel is working to eliminate the terrorist groups of Hamas and Hezbollah, backed by the extremist Islamic government of Iran.

This past year has been very difficult for this blogger and anyone who cares about the survival of Israel, and for the hostages, about 100, including some Americans, who remain prisoners in the Gaza Strip.

It has caused tumult and confrontations on college campuses across America, as well as violence on city streets across the nation, and with the anniversary tomorrow of the crisis, it remains a major international, as well as domestic, crisis that seems to have no resolution.

76th Anniversary Of Israel: Great Division Among Jews Inside And Outside Over War Strategy In Gaza!

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When Israel was attacked by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, there was universal horror and shock at the massacre of 1,200 Israelis, the worst single event since the Holocaust of World War II, that killed 6 million Jews!

It was understandable that Israel would mount an offensive to do what could be done to eliminate Hamas.

However, the total eliminination is clearly impossible, as indicated by the reality that in areas that Israel seized in the northern Gaza Strip, already Hamas has returned to be an influence.

With 35,000 Palestinians, including 70 percent estimates of women and children killed, and others facing famine with the incessant Israeli military offensive, now being focused on Southern Gaza and Rafah, it is clear that if anything, the survivors of this brutal war will have resentment and bitterness and want revenge on Israel.

So all out war has failed to accomplish its goals and clearly, never will be successful in the manner that the Israeli government has set as a goal.

Meanwhile, many Israelis want the war ended and the remaining hostages released. The Jewish community in the United States is also divided, with many younger Jews alienated from the extremist government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist Orthodox Jew ministers and supporters, who want all Palestinians dead!

Support for Israel in general is waning, and antisemitism is rampant, so an insoluble situation for future stability and recovery seems unattainable.

This is also affecting political support for Joe Biden as he is against a full scale attack on Rafah, but Donald Trump does not represent a better future.

Antisemitism On College Campuses Alarming!

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The Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip has created a new wave of antisemitism on American college campuses.

It has caused threats and dangers to American Jewish students, and has led to massive demonstrations and sitins on campuses, as well as blockages of traffic in New York City and elsewhere.

The House Republicans have exploited this issue, condemning university Presidents who have, in many cases, been slow to take any action.

But it has also led to criticism at Columbia University, who has banned various student groups and expelled some students, and cracked down on “academic freedom’ of some college professors.

This whole situation is very awkward in so many ways, with no easy solution, but to have student groups promoting hate and desire to destroy Israel’s right to exist, and to threaten all American Jews, is unacceptable.

College professors have the responsibility to promote dialogue, not to advocate for hate and division in any controversy, as they are perceived as role models for students.

So debate and discussion with a professor being the moderator is the only proper role, and the purpose should be to bring the temperature down and promote interaction without taking away the safety and security and basic rights of all concerned!

Joe Biden Election In 2024 Endangered By Israel-Hamas War

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With the Presidential Election year upon us, there is new concern that Joe Biden’s election to a second term is endangered by the Israel-Hamas War.

Muslim Americans, Arab Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, and many younger voters of all backgrounds have shown their support of the Palestinians, as the death toll mounts in Gaza.

The early sympathy about the October 7 Massacre of 1,200 Israelis by Hamas has evaporated, and antisemitism is rearing its ugly head, endangering American Jews in their daily lives, and infuriating the groups mentioned in what otherwise would be strong support of the Democrats.

The fact that the Republicans and Donald Trump do not offer a real alternative for these voting blocs does not mean that one can count on these groups coming home to Joe Biden and the Democrats in November.

If voting support for the Democrats declines through alienation, that could help elect Donald Trump and a Republican majority in Congress.

So Joe Biden and the Democrats have a daunting task facing them in 2024!

Donald Trump’s Attack On American Jews, Encouraging Anti Semitism!

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Donald Trump is questioning American Jews and their loyalty to Israel, and has consorted with anti Semites over his career!

About a third of American Jews admire Donald Trump, due to their so called “conservative” values, which include the fact that he supported the Israeli government of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Also, no question that Trump accepted Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; the annexation of the Golan Heights; and the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations of Israel with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

But Trump used foul language against Netanyahu when Netanyahu “had the gall” to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 Presidential Election.

Israel was able to influence Trump, but Trump is constantly denouncing American Jews, who are not always supportive of the Israeli government’s policies, and with about 70 percent supporting the candidacy of Joe Biden in 2020!

While Trump was supportive of Israel, so have been other American Presidents, including the often not appreciated efforts of Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter in particular!