Jews are sharply divided. Here, in Israel, close to or more than 70 percent support Donald Trump, and only 30 percent or less support Joe Biden.
In America, among Jews, the figures are opposite. Polls show that some 70 percent support Biden, and about 30 percent support Trump.
One people with a split opinion.
Explanations are not difficult to find.
Trump’s been good for Israel. He’s moved the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which he recognizes as Israel’s capital. He’s also recognized Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights. And he’s worked to bring about normalization between Israel and–so far–the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. And he’s close to getting Sudan in the same cluster, as well as opening the airspace of Saudi Arabia to flights between Israel and points to the east.
American Jews are more concerned with domestic issues, and the personality of Donald Trump. It’s more or less what is expected of a population that’s voted Democratic, in one generation after another, since FDR.
Israelis already enjoy a medical service far and beyond what’s available to Americans, except perhaps for those who can afford to pay for the best, as well as a range of other social services that only Americans with money can buy.
And our Prime Minister is a close friend of Donald Trump, and not so subtly campaigns in his behalf.
Sudan is a problematic acquisition. Bibi calls it the best thing since bottled water. It does have advantages, of being yet another Muslim and African state to be close to recognizing Israel. However, there is much internal opposition in Sudan, the government has been unstable, and the parliament has yet to approve the normalization. Moreover, it took lots of money from the US, and perhaps from Israel, to obtain the move, as well as the US removing Sudan from its list of states supporting terror.
What does Israel get?
It’s not as clear as in the wealthy cases of the UAE and Bahrain.
Israeli officials have said it’ll be possible to send back 6,000 or more Sudanese refugees who made it over the borders years ago.
However, that won’t be easy. Many of them have established families. There are young and not so young kids whose major language is Hebrew. There’ll be court cases. It’ll take payments to each individual or family moved back. And to what? A dismal African existence, perhaps where they’ll be viewed negatively as foreigners who left home years ago.
Trump managed it ten days before the election. Perhaps it’ll help him with some Jews. But not many.
Bibi sidestepped Trump’s effort to obtain a negative comment on Biden. According to an item in Politico:
Addressing his foreign counterpart, who was on speakerphone, Trump asked Netanyahu: “Do you think Sleepy Joe could have made this deal, Bibi? Sleepy Joe? I think — do you think he would have made this deal somehow? I don’t think so.”
Netanyahu hesitated before offering a halting answer: “Well, Mr. President, one thing I can tell you is we appreciate the help for peace from anyone in America. And we appreciate what you’ve done enormously.”
Those of us who pay attention to things American recognize the problems. Trump is a buffoon who ignores the issues associated with Coronavirus. And he blames China for the disease. He also appeals to the same kinds of Americans whose Israeli equivalents support Netanyahu.
More than a few of us would like to move Bibi from the Prime Minister’s residence to jail, after an appropriate trial And replace Trump with someone who recognizes the realities of disease as well as the other problems of the United States.
Yet we continue to admire what Trump has done for Israel, and we hope for similar support from Biden, assuming that he wins the election.
Our ideal candidate would be 20 years younger than Joe Biden, but politics operates outside of what’s ideal.
We’re also aware of problems within the US Jewish community, similar to our own problems with the ultra-Orthodox. In both countries, the Haredim operate as outsiders, arrogant in their attitudes toward Jews they call “anti-Semitic,” as well as ignoring policy with respect to the Coronavirus menace.
Not all, or perhaps even most of the ultra-Orthodox here and there fit the description of stupid and arrogant. But enough of them continue to cluster for education, weddings, funerals, and other internal ceremonies, certain to spread contagion among themselves and with whom they come into contact.
Israel’s problems with them may come to topple the present government. Bibi is beholden to Haredi support, and the politicians of Torah Judaism and SHAS are themselves beholden to extremists who deny the dangers of the disease, or at least claim to in order to preserve the unity of their communities.
Israelis are calculating the implications of polls showing a dip in support for Likud, and the possibility that Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, or Moshe Ya’alon could put together a government to replace Bibi.
And once Bibi’s no longer Prime Minister, his career seems likely to be over. No more official residence; no more serving in the government–due to his indictments–and nothing to do but wait for the onset of a trial that may take years to complete.
And who will contribute to a has-been’s defense fund?
Such a transformation away from Bibi is not a done deal. It could depend on Avigdor Lieberman and Meretz agreeing to serve in the same government, and that might not occur.
Likewise, it’s too early to assume that Donald Trump will vacate the White House for the sake of Joe Biden.
Lots of unanswered questions.
“We’ll see” is the best way to end, for the time being.
Republished from San Diego Jewish World