Trump and Netanyahu on Israel: Enough Lies

 

I’m tired of the lies about Israel that have been perpetrated by the world and that have been supported by the United States for many years. It’s time to set the record straight on the history of Israel and the truth about the Palestinians. I’m hoping that Donald Trump will step forward and transform our relationship with Israel and call the world to accept the truth and the necessity for changing the narrative. 

In yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, Max Singer, founder of the Hudson Institute, suggested a path for Trump to pursue regarding Israel: “If Mr. Trump wants to advance the possibility of peace, he should begin by challenging the five big untruths that sustain the anti-Israel consensus.” To summarize his points, Mr. Singer offered the following myths (the information in brackets are my additions):

  • Israel occupies “Palestinian territories”— there has never been a Palestinian state or territory, and Israel re-acquired the West Bank through a defensive war; it has never been “occupied.” [By the way, the area was not labeled “occupied” until UN Resolution 51/13312 passed in December 1996.] For a detailed explanation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on the subject of occupation, go here.
  • Millions of Palestinian “refugees” have a right of return regarding Israel. Most of these people are the descendants of refugees. In addition, no group of people in history has claimed a “right of return.” [As Shmuely Boteach points out in his book, The Israel Warrior, “Had the Arabs accepted the 1947 UN resolution, not a single Palestinian would have become a refugee, and an independent Arab state would now exist beside Israel.”]
  • Israelis and Palestinians have comparable claims to Jerusalem. The First Temple was built long before the mosque on the Temple Mount. Neither the Quran nor the Muslim prayers mention Jerusalem, whereas the Jews repeatedly pray for the city. No Muslim group ever claimed Jerusalem as its capitol prior to this conflict.
  • There was no ancient Jewish presence in Israel. This claim is absurd on its face.
  • The Palestinians are ready to accept a “two-state solution.” Palestinian leadership and organizations refuse to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, and insist on destroying Israel, so the discussion of two states is an exercise in futility.

Mr. Singer’s piece presents very important myths that persist about Israel and the Palestinians. Asking Donald Trump to destroy these particular myths is a fine idea. But I don’t think this “truth-telling” goes far enough. I’d like to suggest three complementary statements for Trump to make that will support Mr. Singer’s points, particularly in light of Trump’s meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

First, President Trump will need to declare that the Palestinians are not prepared to make a two-state peace agreement; they have turned down multiple opportunities to settle on an agreement without counter offering, and have turned down every proposal. Yesterday President Trump said, “I’m looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like,” he said. “I’m very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one.” Netanyahu (who most recently has advocated a two-state solution) is under a great deal of pressure from members of the Knesset in Israel to move to a one-state solution, I believe, with good reason. I think the President could be persuaded of the illegitimacy of the Palestinian settlement claims. If the President would consider recommending a one-state solution, confirming that the Palestinians relinquished their right to demand otherwise, I think Netanyahu would change his position and the Middle East would have its first chance for peace in almost 70 years. Trump could begin this transformation in the peace process by moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

Next, in concert with this first point, Trump must emphasize that Israel has every right to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). These areas comprised ancient Israel. Although there are those who say the Jews abandoned this area, there has always been a small group of Jews living in this area. There is reason to believe that the Palestinian people living there today would be relieved to live under a true democracy with economic and political freedom, as Caroline Glick says in her book, The One-State Solution.

The Arabs and Druze in the Golan Heights have been living under Israeli bureaucratic rule and have been enjoying the benefits of education for their children and all the public services an Israeli bureaucracy provides. Although they are reluctant to acknowledge their appreciation of being governed by Israel (due to promises of retaliation by the Palestinian leadership), there is reason to hope that the Arabs in the West Bank might also welcome Israel’s governance.

Finally, the US needs to cut back drastically on funding the Palestinian Authority, or recommend the elimination of the kleptocracy entirely. The reason so many Palestinians live in poor conditions is because the millions of dollars that have been sent for aid over the years have mostly been pocketed by the Palestinian leadership. Caroline Glick suggests that the Palestinian Authority be dismantled as the Palestinian people are integrated into Israel.

These changes will be difficult, but for those living in a war zone since 1948, it offers a possibility for a normal, peaceful life. I think the Israelis and Palestinians are exhausted by these conditions, and are ready for this type of change. I hope that President Trump agrees.

Published in Foreign Policy
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  1. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Israel should push the “Palestinians” our of the territories into Egypt and make their Muslim brothers deal with them.

    There is nothing Israel can do to be accpeted and liked. They should just move forward and act just like one of the Muslim nations that hates them so would have acted, if the positions were reversed.

     

    • #1
  2. blood thirsty neocon Inactive
    blood thirsty neocon
    @bloodthirstyneocon

    It’s a cruel, immutable fact of civilization that primitive people cannot live next to an advanced civilization without the former being either displaced or absorbed by the latter.

    • #2
  3. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Brava, Susan.

    • #3
  4. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    RightAngles (View Comment):
    Brava, Susan.

    Yep.

    • #4
  5. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    I listened to an interesting interview yesterday between Ed Henry and a Democrat congressman whose name I unfortunately cannot remember. The congressman had a valid point. With a one state solution it would only be a matter of time before the Arabs achieved the majority. As a democratic country, Israel would cease to exist as a Jewish nation because of demographics. So a one state solution could only preserve as a Jewish nation by taking Bryon G. Stephens position and run all the Arabs out of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. That is a heavy lift. One that would make even greater martyrs out of the Arabs and greater pariahs out of the Israelis. A rock and a hard spot.

    • #5
  6. Brian McMenomy Inactive
    Brian McMenomy
    @BrianMcMenomy

    The formulation that makes the entire thing crystal clear, and illustrates the fundamental problem (from Alan Dershowitz via Prager University, although I’m sure others have used it);

    If the Palestinians (and Israel’s other enemies) announced that they were going to lay down their arms and not fight anymore (and did so), there would be peace between the parties tomorrow.

    If Israel announced that they were going to lay down their arms (and did so), there would be a genocide.

    Until Palestinians’ hearts and minds are changed from an unrelenting desire to eliminate the State of Israel, nothing will change.

    • #6
  7. DocJay Inactive
    DocJay
    @DocJay

    Nice article.   There are players in this mess who need exposure for their parts in this ongoing problem.   College professors and other teachers who espouse this leftist garbage, lefty activists with the protests du jour, CAIR and other anti-Semitic groups which promote false narratives, and finally the odd genetic only lefty Jews who oppose Israel yet attempt to have gravitas by nature of their genetics.

    • #7
  8. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Thank you Susan and I’m glad this is at the top of the main feed. When Israel became a state, there was not only peace for Jews, Christians and Muslims (for awhile), but enormous prosperity and contributions by the Israelis in medicine, agriculture, they built schools, roads, infrastructure that didn’t exist prior. Yet they were attacked by their Arab neighbors.  How do so many miss the point that Jerusalem is never mentioned as a holy site in the Koran, yet all of Israeli history is present there, as the holiest site both in the Bible, the Torah, throughout historical documents, archeology etc.  The Palestinians lost multiple opportunities to accept the terms by past presidents, and Israeli leadership, who were more than generous.  Now…not so much.

    Rightly so, President Trump rolled out the red carpet for Netanyahu.  He was not asked to enter by the back door or kept waiting for hours.  He states the negotiations should be only between the parties involved – they have to live with it, with a mediator only.  The fact that his son-in-law and Netanyahu have known each other for years is interesting, and new to the American public who know little about him.

    I am optimistic for all sides, but I feel a sense of caution regarding any deal or Trump’s son in law.  The Old Testament prophets offer many warnings, and in Christian theology, there are more.  Will pray for all involved – God bless.

    • #8
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):
    There is nothing Israel can do to be accpeted and liked. They should just move forward and act just like one of the Muslim nations that hates them so would have acted, if the positions were reversed.

    Exactly, Brian. Yes, there will be fighting, but I just heard that some of the Arab counties are looking at building an alliance with Israel possibly supply intelligence. They’ve never been able to come together before, but times have changed.

    • #9
  10. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    Yeah, I never really understood how people can claim to be third generation “refugees”.

    • #10
  11. DocJay Inactive
    DocJay
    @DocJay

    I still remember grinning as Madeleine Allbright broke a heel lumbering after a laughing fleeing Arafat who played the Clinton admin like a fiddle.  All of Bill Clinton’s and Allbright’s dreams of Nobel peace prizes went up in smoke as the old terrorist murderous conman whistled his way to the bank.

    • #11
  12. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    cdor (View Comment):
    I listened to an interesting interview yesterday between Ed Henry and a Democrat congressman whose name I unfortunately cannot remember. The congressman had a valid point. With a one state solution it would only be a matter of time before the Arabs achieved the majority. As a democratic country, Israel would cease to exist as a Jewish nation because of demographics. So a one state solution could only preserve as a Jewish nation by taking Bryon G. Stephens position and run all the Arabs out of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. That is a heavy lift. One that would make even greater martyrs out of the Arabs and greater pariahs out of the Israelis. A rock and a hard spot.

    Actually, Caroline Glick has done research on the Arab populations. They have presented lies. The population is not increasing as rapidly as it used to, and many of the Arabs are immigrating to other countries (but the Palestinians don’t want to admit it). Many have said that if they could afford to leave, they would. So the Arab numbers are much smaller than thought. That the Palestinians through multiple sources (polls, census and so on) have boosted the numbers is no surprise.

    • #12
  13. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Brian McMenomy (View Comment):
    Until Palestinians’ hearts and minds are changed from an unrelenting desire to eliminate the State of Israel, nothing will change.

    Precisely. And there is no change in sight, at least for the Palestinian leadership.

    • #13
  14. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    Susan:

    Your post contradicts the relevant passage in the US State Dept Employee Manual that covers this very thing:

    1. Pretend there is a state of moral equivalence or Israeli fault.

    2. Book rooms in 5-star hotels in Paris or Geneva and tables in best restaurants

    3. Lean on Israelis to sign something. Anything.

    4. Write big check to wherever kleptocrat runs the PLO/PA.

    5. Get grip & grin pics for framing. Be sure to squeeze into signing photo op.

    6. List this diplomatic triumph in resume. If the boss (POTUS) gets a Nobel Peace prize, then write a book.

    Many careers were based on the above.

    • #14
  15. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    DocJay (View Comment):
    Nice article. There are players in this mess who need exposure for their parts in this ongoing problem. College professors and other teachers who espouse this leftist garbage, lefty activists with the protests du jour, CAIR and other anti-Semitic groups which promote false narratives, and finally the odd genetic only lefty Jews who oppose Israel yet attempt to have gravitas by nature of their genetics.

    It also appears, from Singer’s piece, Doc, that many in the various governments know the truth but have been reluctant to change the narrative. I suspect that’s a global problem.

    • #15
  16. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    DocJay (View Comment):
    I still remember grinning as Madeleine Allbright broke a heel lumbering after a laughing fleeing Arafat who played the Clinton admin like a fiddle. All of Bill Clinton’s and Allbright’s dreams of Nobel peace prizes went up in smoke as the old terrorist murderous conman whistled his way to the bank.

    Clinton eventually said the failure of negotiations was all on Arafat’s head–not that Arafat cared one single bit. And then he set off the Intifada to boot.

    • #16
  17. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    Your post contradicts the relevant passage in the US State Dept Employee Manual that covers this very thing:

    Thanks, Old Bathos. I needed a reason to smile. What’s scary is that some of this might actually be in that manual!! Kidding . . .

    • #17
  18. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    DocJay (View Comment):
    I still remember grinning as Madeleine Allbright broke a heel lumbering after a laughing fleeing Arafat who played the Clinton admin like a fiddle. All of Bill Clinton’s and Allbright’s dreams of Nobel peace prizes went up in smoke as the old terrorist murderous conman whistled his way to the bank.

    Clinton eventually said the failure of negotiations was all on Arafat’s head–not that Arafat cared one single bit. An then he set off the Intifada to boot.

    I was trying to explain to my daughter that when I was a kid, Arafat was practically the Osama bin Laden of the 1960s. When he actually became a head of state, I was in shock.

    • #18
  19. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Dennis Prager eviscerated Fareed Zakaria’s statement that all the Palestinians have wanted since the reestablishment of the Jewish state is a state of their own.

    No, they’ve never wanted a state of their own — they’ve only wanted to destroy Israel. They’ve had about six separate chances to have their own state and rejected the opportunity each time. I think it’s past time we accepted that a two-state solution is impossible.

     

    • #19
  20. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    • #20
  21. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Dennis Prager eviscerated Fareed Zakaria’s statement that all the Palestinians have wanted since the reestablishment of the Jewish state is a state of their own.

    No, they’ve never wanted a state of their own — they’ve only wanted to destroy Israel. They’ve had about six separate chances to have their own state and rejected the opportunity each time. I think it’s past time we accepted that a two-state solution is impossible.

    I remember following Prager for many years, and he kept wanting to back the two-state solution; he finally had to give up. I don’t know if he’s supporting a one-state solution; I haven’t heard him in a while. Thanks, WC.

    • #21
  22. Postmodern Hoplite Coolidge
    Postmodern Hoplite
    @PostmodernHoplite

    Susan Quinn: Israel has every right to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). These areas comprised ancient Israel.

    True enough, but the only way to establish and maintain sovereignty over these territories is to determine – and then reinforce – the defensible terrain. Where is the natural key terrain for defense in depth? I suspect the Israeli military high command already has briefed the Knesset on what this is. Move the forces into place, and then hold it against all comers. Of course, this includes the Golan Heights. It may comprise some (or all) of the West bank, but the bottom line is that it has to be defendable by Israel alone.

    • #22
  23. mollysmom Inactive
    mollysmom
    @mollys mom

    It is not enough just to hit the Like button…your analysis was spot on.

    I have a theory about Obama’s embracing of Muslims and the Palestinian state, including loading them up with a big chunk of money in the closing days of his administration.  It is not because he is a closet Muslim as many like to say.  Rather, he sees his father—a man absent from his life—when he sees Muslims, and deep down he is still looking for a father’s approval.

    (Like Lucy Van Pelt I only charge a nickel for my insights.)

    • #23
  24. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Arahant (View Comment): I love it! And their borders would be secure, too!! Thanks, Arahant.

     

    • #24
  25. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Israel has every right to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). These areas comprised ancient Israel.

    True enough, but the only way to establish and maintain sovereignty over these territories is to determine – and then reinforce – the defensible terrain. Where is the natural key terrain for defense in depth? I suspect the Israeli military high command already has briefed the Knesset on what this is. Move the forces into place, and then hold it against all comers. Of course, this includes the Golan Heights. It may comprise some (or all) of the West bank, but the bottom line is that it has to be defendable by Israel alone.

    Correct, Hoplite. And I don’t have the background to know how that would work. In Glick’s analysis, the Israelis would leave out Gaza. It would be impossible to integrate it.

    • #25
  26. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    mollysmom (View Comment):
    (Like Lucy Van Pelt I only charge a nickel for my insights.)

    And it’s worth every cent! Thanks, mollysmom. You could very well be right. I doubt that Obama is capable of realizing that for himself.

    • #26
  27. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Arahant (View Comment):

    I’m with Andrew. This video cannot be shared enough. President Trump said the right thing yesterday.

    • #27
  28. Trink Coolidge
    Trink
    @Trink

    MarciN (View Comment):

    RightAngles (View Comment):
    Brava, Susan.

    Yep.

    Oh yeah.  I’m with the gals! ^ 

    • #28
  29. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    I’m with Andrew. This video cannot be shared enough. President Trump said the right thing yesterday.

    I always figured that if by some accident of fate I wound up as PotUS, I would play that for the press the first day.

    • #29
  30. Mountie Coolidge
    Mountie
    @Mountie

    Susan Quinn:

    • There was no ancient Jewish presence in Israel. This claim is absurd on its face.

     

    This is one of my two tests to determine if you are capable independent thought. The other one is whether you believe that the world is on a course to overpopulation. It’s  not.

    • #30
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