Guest: David Rubin via Phone, Skype, or Zoom
Intro: While the United States is battling Covid-19 and a recession, Israel is like an orphaned stepchild.
Their plans to annex and declare sovereignty over 30% of the so-called West Bank, comprised of ancient Judea and Samaria, was expected to be concluded as soon as July 1.
But since President Trump is up to his eyeballs in challenges both personal with family members writing books critical of him, and the usual onslaught by left-leaning national news outlets, it appears Israel, once again, is alone in the world.
Here to discuss these matters is a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, David Rubin, former mayor of Shiloh, Samaria, Israel, and author of “Trump and the Jews”.
- Mayor Rubin, is the annexation of parts of Samaria and Judea delayed or dead?
Answer: It clearly has been delayed, but it definitely is not dead. If implemented, it would be a fulfillment of a campaign promise that got Netanyahu reelected, since that is what a majority of Israelis want.
- White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway had confirmed an imminent “big announcement” from President Trump. What happened to that?
Answer: It has been delayed for a variety of reasons, mostly unrelated to the desires of Trump and Netanyahu.
- Are there internal issues in the Trump and Netanyahu administrations that are holding up the sovereignty move?
Answer: Absolutely. Jared Kushner, who has been given a lot of autonomy by the President, is making the mistake of pandering to the Palestinians by pressuring Israel to make concessions in order to bring them to the negotiating table. On the other hand, US Ambassador David Friedman and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hold more right-wing views and are more respectful of Israel’s right to decide on sovereignty, but Kushner seems to have Trump’s ear. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who according to his “Unity Government agreement with left-of-center Benny Gantz, has the right to do what he wants without Gantz’s approval, is being pressured by Washington to get such approval if he wants American approval. Such a condition is a recipe for failure.
- Why is this West Bank sovereignty move so controversial?
Answer: The West Bank, more accurately called by its proper geographic terms Judea (south of Jerusalem) and Samaria (north of Jerusalem), is the region where we find the biblical historical towns and cities like Bethel, Shiloh, Bethlehem, and Hebron. Israel recaptured this area in the Six Day War in 1967. Since then, it has been a political hot potato. In 1993, the Oslo Peace accords were signed between Israel and the Palestinians, giving the Palestinians autonomy in seven cities. Rather than accept that autonomy peacefully, the Palestinians have waged over two decades of terrorist war against Israeli civilians. My then three-year-old son and I were seriously wounded in one of those attacks, but there have been thousands of victims.
- Why hasn’t Israel at least declared its sovereignty over the parts of Judea and Samaria that it controls?
Answer: Most American presidents have strongly opposed such a move, and we try to coordinate with our American friends, and therefore, the area has remained in limbo. President Trump, however, has changed the rules of the game with his Deal of the Century, which allows Israel to unilaterally declare its sovereignty over 30% of Judea and Samaria, with American approval.
- Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority is threatening to burn the Oslo peace agreements if sovereignty is declared. Are you concerned?
Answer: As Ronald Reagan would say, “Make my day!” Those peace agreements were immoral to begin with, and they were exploited by Abbas to fund his terrorist war against Israel, which has continued to this day. If he carries out his threat, he will be depositing those agreements into the dustbin of history, which is actually where they belong. The minimal Israeli declaration of sovereignty over 30 % of Judea and Samaria, with Trump’s approval, would be a good first step on the road to sustainable peace and justice and it should be done as soon as possible.
- Your book, “Trump and the Jews”, discusses all of these issues. Tell us about it and where our viewers/listeners can get a copy?
Answer: They can go to my website, www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or just go to Amazon and type in the words “Trump and the Jews”.
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. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at http://www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org
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