With Israel’s March 2, 2020 election less than three weeks away, the political survival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump’s Deal of the Century seem to be linked together as the central issues in the campaign.
Despite an indictment for possible corruption hanging over his head, and despite the fact that he is slightly behind in the polls, Netanyahu is waging a fierce campaign against left-of-center opponent Benny Gantz. Trump’s peace proposal, which Netanyahu had a major role in crafting, is at the center of his battle plan. What are the issues at play, that will determine whether Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, succeeds against all odds to emerge victorious?
We are joined by Middle East expert David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh and author of “Trump and the Jews”.
Suggested Q&A:
1. What is the significance of President Trump’s peace proposal for Netanyahu’s campaign?
Answer: Netanyahu had a central role over the past three years in influencing the content of this proposal, especially the part that says that Israel can declare its sovereignty over all the Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, the so-called West Bank. One of the central tenets of his campaign is to present himself as a master diplomat and his role in crafting this deal is being presented by his campaign team as further proof of his accomplishments.
2. There have been other peace deals proposed during past administrations. What is different this time around?
Answer: Past proposals, such as the one proposed by former PM Ehud Olmert during the GW Bush administration have always offered the Palestinians close to 100% of Judea and Samaria and a state with its capital in the Old City of Jerusalem. This one gives them far less and places certain conditions on them in exchange for their hoped-for independent state. Such clear demands have never been made of them in the past.
3. Can you be more specific? What kinds of demands are we talking about?
Answer: #1 The cessation of the payment of salaries to terrorists
#2 The recognition of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people
#3 The demilitarization of their constituent terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
4. Hasn’t Netanyahu’s opponent Benny Gantz also expressed his support for the Trump peace plan?
Answer: He has, but in the same breath he said that Israel should not declare its sovereignty over any of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria without “international approval”. That is quite different from the approach of Netanyahu, who is trying to coordinate such a declaration with American cooperation and recognition. Does Gantz really think that the UN and the EU, will their proven biases against Israel, will give their approval?
5. In your book, you wrote about President Trump’s role in correcting the Middle East failures of past administrations. Where can people get a copy of your book “Trump and the Jews”?
Answer: They can go to www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or just go to www.Amazon.com and type in the words “Trump and the Jews”.
Bio: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the book, “Trump and the Jews” and five other books. 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
