In a swing through America we encountered the expected range of attitudes about the national leader.
At an upscale senior facility in southern California, we heard agreement in support. Admitting the dissonance of his style, but asserting his business-like mode of dealing. There was acceptance for his view that the US shouldn’t be taken advantage of in trade. Also, opposition to excessive permissiveness with respect to illegals. Endorsement of hardworking and law abiding, not otherwise given an opportunity to be heard.
Similar views from an upper crust family. Much accomplished in terms of appointments and deregulation. Attacks from leftist media not unsurprising.
People wonder if the President is in control. He is said to read little, if anything. His declarations sound firm, but change. Aides detail what he means, often different from what he has said. We read of continuing investigations—of business matters and and the influence of Russia in his election, as well as indictments against key aides.
We’ve also heard that he’s an idiot, unreliable in all that he expresses. One contact used the term buffoon.
There’s been extensive media coverage of allegations about sexual misconduct in high school or college of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, uncorroborated at the time of their occurrence. We heard a credible witness, then firm denials from the nominee. The Senate committee voted along party lines to approve the nomination, with a pause of a week for whatever further FBI investigation would be possible. Eventually the U.S. Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Kavanaugh, and that same day he was sworn in as an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
Then there was media obsessed on the inquiry. Who would be questioned, and about what? Lots of talking heads, without much that was clear.
Bibi gave a firm speech to the UN, unlikely heard by many outside of Israel and overseas friends, in which he detailed nuclear activities within Iran.
There’s been renewed protests from Gaza and deadly IDF responses. As well as more threats from Iran. And news of sophisticated Russian anti-air missiles sent to Syria, but without information as to who would control them.
Overseas friends continue to contemplate ways that we should deal with Palestinian rejections, resisting assertions that there’s nothing to tempt them.
Uncertainty about the wisdom of participants goes up to the US President and those around him. Do three Orthodox Jews really imagine serious negotiations with Palestinians with a long record of rejecting. all that does not include their full range of dreams. Various factions threaten those who don’t conform to their demands.
Trump has said that he supports a two-state solution, and Bibi has hedged away from providing the Palestinians a true state with means of defense – aggression. It’s not clear where we’ll go with this, insofar as Palestinians reject everything that doesn’t give them what they want. And their leadership is far from certain, given Abbas’s physical condition.
So where have we moved in recent weeks?
Not much.
There’s not much hope for the Palestinians. Despite what is heard from Americans and others about the desirability of two states, the Palestinians suffer from multiple internal factions, and die hard postures coming from those claiming leadership. The return of refugees up to the nth generation, as well as extensive claims of territory long settled by Jews, and commitments to armed struggle come along with more than 100,000 West Bankers working legally in Israel and other indications of normalization.
There’s cooperation on security, with Palestinians seizing some groups planning attacks.
Gaza is even more beset with a leadership unable to depart from outdated demands, and to refrain from periodic acts of violence.
Countries that recognize a Palestinian state neither help nor hurt, and are largely ignored. Their focus seems to be the West Bankers, whose own government engenders doubt about the viability of Mahmoud Abbas, and what would happen next. And a conflict between Abbas and Gaza has been a factor in the inability of Israel to reach any agreement of quiet with its southern neighbor–despite efforts of Egypt and Qatar to bring them together.
So we’re in a manageable mess, or anomaly, without occupation, and without a chance of a Palestinian State, and with Israel free to enter and seize according to its need.
Meanwhile, Israel’s government is doing what it can to rein in Jewish crazies convinced that God gave it all to us.
Settlement inches ahead, mostly within established Jewish areas. And with noise from Jews and others who object.
Tensions exist, but seem manageable. Those expecting, or hoping for movement on the Palestinian front, are due for more frustration.
We heard from Americans who are concerned about a nuclear threat to Israel, from Iran or elsewhere.
People who have never been to Israel, and hear from the media, rabbis, or others seem to lack a sense of the numerous players in the area, and their limitations to do what they proclaim.
Now that the holidays are over, there’s likely to be more inching forward on the investigations of Bibi and family.
But those waiting for a quick fix with respect to the Netanyahus will have to demonstrate patience.
All’s well. Or about as close to that as is possible.
At least for the time being.
Which may last for a few moments.
Republished from San Diego Jewish World