The Biden administration insists that former US President Donald Trump is an unrepentant antisemite. Just this week, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated unequivocally:
“Donald Trump’s comments were antisemitic, as you all know, and insulting both to Jews and to our Israeli allies. But let’s be clear, for years, for years now, Donald Trump has aligned with extremist and antisemitic figures.”
She was reacting to Trump’s criticism of American Jews who fail to fully appreciate and support Israel.
Former (and possibly future) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Jean-Pierre was completely off the mark.
In an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday, the Israeli explained:
“[Trump] has a Jewish son-in-law and his daughter converted to Judaism. His children and grandchildren are raised as Jews. So I don’t think so.”
Netanyahu went on to acknowledge that perhaps Trump’s remarks lacked tact, but signaled that he fully understands the frustration of being a national leader who doesn’t get due credit for the things he or she has done.
Among Israeli Jews, Trump was widely praised for his overtly pro-Israel policies. American Jews, most of whom vote Democrat, did not show the same gratitude, often exasperating the mercurial former president.
I wonder if American Jews vote Democrat because they see the Democrats as liberators from the religious constraints of Rabbinic Judaism. They covet a freedom without responsibility. They can do things in the American culture they can’t in a Jewish/Israeli one.
The American Jew knows how far this is true, perhaps he can comment. Some of them experienced Jewish liberation bringing them out of places like the former Soviet Union but now they want to enjoy a more liberal democrat freedom. They can more easily do what is right in their own eyes and revel in their independence rather than being constrained by community.
This is ever the will of fallen man. Unrestrained by God a man can revel in his independence. Yet constraints are needed to govern society. The righteous will not be concerned about a speed camera because he already observes the speed limit. His marriage will not fail because he guards his heart not to commit adultery or be scattered in his imagination with pornography. His life is not wasted with drink, drugs or gambling, he works to provide for himself and others. Good constraints are needed in any society so that each individual can flourish to the benefit of the whole. Democratic progressives are less tolerant of this model and have a leftist tendency to more socialist policies. These are the policies that caused Jews to desire Israeli liberation in the first place, so we come full circle.
The Jewish community is a witness to the world of how humanity should care for one another. Their constraints are set by God Himself and are beneficial to all mankind if he will have them. Maybe Judaism just needs modified by messianic revelation so that all humanity can enjoy being in the commonwealth of Israel.
Oh, that was good! I appreciate it! I’m on here to learn about Israel’s foreign policy. I know nothing about it.