With the Left-Right unity coalition in Israel struggling to survive its internal disputes, with the help of steady American support, a split has emerged between President Biden and Prime Minister Bennett over Biden administration plans to open a separate American consulate in eastern Jerusalem that will operate independently of the US embassy.
As reported by American-Israeli political analyst David Rubin, the consulate, ostensibly intended to serve the needs of Arabs in Jerusalem, has become a Palestinian firebomb that threatens to undermine the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.
Joining us to help break through the tension is David Rubin, former mayor of Shiloh and author of the new book, “Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel”.
Suggested Q&A:
- Why is President Biden pushing this plan for a new consulate to compete with the US Embassy, which was just moved to Jerusalem by Trump three years ago? There are heavy pressures in his party from Palestinian activists and the far left, who see the consulate as a steppingstone to a Palestinian state and a way to slowly unravel Trump’s accomplishments.
- Is this the source of the rising tension, that Bennett is against a Palestinian state? Yes, Bennett has always been on the record in clear opposition to a Palestinian state, which he sees as a mortal danger to Israel, while Biden supports it.
- What about the argument from Biden’s people that while they do support a Palestinian state, that the consulate is all about serving the needs of the Arabs of eastern Jerusalem? There is already a US Embassy, which is, of course, run by Americans. It’s actually located on the eastern side of Jerusalem, and it has a special Palestinian unit that focuses on serving that part of the population. However, the proposed consulate would be run by the Palestinian Authority and would symbolize a defacto division of Jerusalem. Biden’s advisors know that and that is why they are pushing for it.
- Are there other tensions in the Biden-Bennett relationship? Yes, the Iran issue is a big source of contention. Bennett wants to hit Iran and hit them hard until they abandon their nuclear bomb program, as well as their support for terrorist armies like Hamas and Hezbollah. Biden, on the other hand, wants to reach a peace agreement with Iran, and, contrary to the facts on the ground and in the radical regime’s ideology, Biden still believes that it’s possible.
- Your latest book, “Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel”, describes the dangers of the collusion between the radical Left and radical Islam. Where can people get a copy? They can go to www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or just go to Amazon and type in the words, “Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel”.
David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the new book, Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel. Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack.
Websites: www.DavidRubinIsrael.com (to find out more about David’s many books) or www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org (treating the victims of terror).
CONTACT: Celinda Hawkins (432) 349 – 2736 cemison@gmail.com
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