My primary question is whether Donald Trump would be good for America. As far as I know, Donald Trump is running to be president of the United States, not the prime minister of Israel. His primary concern should be America’s welfare.
If American Jews want to be accepted as Americans, they have to put Americans interests first and write fewer columns about whether or not a particular American politician is good for Israel.
Israel is a strong country. It can take care of itself. It has the strongest military in the Middle East and it is the only country there with nuclear weapons.
America and Israel would each be better off with a more independent relationship.
If Israel decides to kick out all its Arabs, I don’t see President Trump getting upset. On the other hand, President Hillary would not be down with that.
I do not care if the American president is uninterested in all three of the questions below posed by the editor of the Jewish Journal. Israel has as much importance for America’s security and well-being as Chile does and a hundred other countries.
America has no vital national interests with Israel.
Israel is of great concern for me as a Jew, but that does not mean I am going to lie on Israel’s behalf about America’s concerns.
1. Does the president recognize Israel’s unique history and the special connection it has to the United States?
2. Does the president recognize the unique external and internal threats to Israel’s security?
Trump’s AIPAC speech listed as the main threats to Israel the Iran deal, Palestinian incitement and terror, with the United Nations and President Barack Obama also competing for the top spots.
He did not mention the internal demographic threat to Israel and Israeli democracy arising from its occupation of the West Bank — a concern that has consumed Israeli and U.S. governments for 50 years.
As for what he would do about the Iran deal? He’ll make a better one. How? “We will, we will,” Trump said in his major policy address. “I promise, we will.”
Many Republican Jews are unwilling to take an untested businessman at his word. When Trump announced that he thinks Israel should expand its West Bank settlements, the right-wing Zionist Organization of America sent out a press release trumpeting the statement. A Republican Jewish leader in Los Angeles told me he sent the ZOA a reply. “Don’t get so excited,” he wrote. “Who knows what Trump will say next week?”
3. Is the president able to use American power, influence and resources to help Israel face its threats?
