Bibi and Trump -- and democracy
6 Don Surber by Don Surber
The joint press conference by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu was a throwback to my teen years a half-century ago, when presidents were proud to align themselves with the only democracy in Arabia.
Bibi told the press: "I've known the president and I've known his family and his team for a long time and there is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish state than President Donald Trump."
Wow.
But that's how things should be.
The United States is a beacon to the world providing an example for others to follow in their home nations, instead of coming here to tear it down.
Our nation should stand by those who wish to follow our lead.
Israel does.
"With this visit the United States, again, reaffirms our unbreakable bond with our cherished ally, Israel," Trump said. "The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about.
"One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing -- I mean ever -- a nuclear weapon."
Trump publicly seeks an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that comes from them, not from outsiders. One state? Two state? "I'm happy with the one they like the best," Trump said.
He also said, "Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility." And, "I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of their hate. They're taught hate from a very young age."
That's an honest appraisal that hearkens to Golda Meir's observation, "We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us."
Israel has been fighting its war for independence for 70 years now. The Palestinians refuse to acknowledge their right to exist, which greatly inhibits the possibilities for peace.
"There are two prerequisites for peace. First the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state," he said. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River,"
Trump has slowed his quest to move the embassy to Jerusalem. Likewise Trump asked Netanyahu to slow down on building "settlements."
The message to the world was clear. We are back to where we were under Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, and both Bushes.
That is the place to be. |
