Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday gave an endorsement-of-sorts to Donald Trump, praising all that Trump has done for Israel. Obviously under pressure from Trump to make such an endorsement, Netanyahu was also careful to praise U.S. bipartisan support.
The Associated Press has a partial transcript of the remarks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that U.S. bipartisan support has been “one of the foundations of the American-Israeli alliance.” He then went on to say “that alliance has never been stronger” and praised a slew of steps taken by Trump in favor of Israel.
Netanyahu cited Trump’s hardline policy toward Iran, his moving the embassy to Jerusalem, his recognition of Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, and his acceptance of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as well as recent diplomatic deals with Arab countries. Netanyahu went on:
I can only hope that this policy that brings, that isolates Iran and brings the fruits of peace, peace grounded in reality to the people of Israel, to the Arab peoples of the region, I can only hope that this policy will continue in the coming years
On October 23, Donald Trump pushed Netanyahu for an endorsement during a call from the White House over a deal with Sudan.
Do you think Sleepy Joe [Biden] could have made this deal, Bibi? Sleepy Joe. I think — do think he would had made this deal? Somehow, I don’t think so.
Netanyahu paused, then answered, “Well, Mr. President, one thing I can tell you is we appreciate the help for peace from anyone in America. And we appreciate what you’ve done enormously.”
Trump responded, “Yeah.”
i24News reported Netanyahu’s remarks yesterday and host Calev Ben-David called it a “non-endorsement endorsement.” David Makovsky, an American Israel supporter, agreed, saying, “I think it’s clear where the prime minister’s heart is… He’s trying to define what he considers a balance. But others might disagree.”
In 2012, Netanyahu all but endorsed Republican challenger Mitt Romney over President Barack Obama, meeting with Romney during the campaign in Jerusalem, where Romney held a fundraiser.
In the latest instance, i24’s Ben-David said, Netanyahu is putting down “markers” for a possible Biden administration, trying to nail down Trump policies so that Biden would not vary from them.
November 2, 2020
The Palestine Liberation Organization Press Release
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi: The Colonialist Attitude of the Balfour Declaration Lives on
“It has been 103 years since the British government adopted a supremely arrogant, racist and colonialist promise to give away Palestine and willfully discard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The catastrophic consequences of the Balfour Declaration have been our living reality since then.
“Adding insult to injury, the Trump administration revived the objectionable mindset of the Balfour Declaration by upending US policy and international law in relation to Palestine. The so-called Trump plan borrowed this worldview and attempted to impose it on the Palestinian people.
“Then and now, all such exclusionary policies aiming to deprive the Palestinian people of their fundamental right to have agency over their lives and destiny are egregious and entirely unacceptable. Just like the illegitimate Balfour declaration, the Trump ‘plan’ is informed by an absolutist and literalist ideology that excuses the inexcusable, allowing for Israeli exceptionalism to perpetuate at the expense of Palestinian lives and rights.
“Regrettably, successive British governments have failed to take responsibility for this illegitimate and unprecedented act of wholesome injustice. It can still begin correcting this historic wrong by recognizing Palestine.
“In this land, absolutist ideologies, including those backed by political and military aggression, have always failed. They will fail again in normalizing Israel’s inorganic and imposed occupation and institutional racism. Only a transparent and accountable political process that heals and rights these wrongs can undo the Balfour and Trump legacies.
“Freedom and self-determination are absolute rights that are non-negotiable. We will not accept to be the exception to this universal fact. The Palestinian people will not surrender to a racist ideology that attempts to eradicate our history, culture, and narrative. Palestine lives and it will be vindicated with the dedicated pursuit of justice by our people and justice advocates worldwide.”
Breaking News:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54774539
“Robert Fisk, veteran UK journalist, dies aged 74” BBC News, Nov. 2/20
EXCERPT:
“Veteran foreign correspondent Robert Fisk has died of a suspected stroke at the age of 74.”
“He had been admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin after falling ill at his home on Friday, and died shortly afterwards, the Irish Times reported.
“Fisk won numerous awards for his reporting on the Middle East, starting from the 1970s.
“But he also drew controversy for his sharp criticism of the US and Israel, and of Western foreign policy.
“Covering wars in the Balkans, Middle East and North Africa for UK newspapers over five decades, Fisk was described by the New York Times, in 2005, as ‘probably the most famous foreign correspondent in Britain’.
“Born in Maidstone, Kent in 1946, he later took Irish citizenship and had a home in Dalkey outside the capital Dublin.
“Irish President Michael D Higgins has expressed his ‘great sadness’ about Fisk’s death on Sunday.
“‘With his passing the world of journalism and informed commentary on the Middle East has lost one of its finest commentators,’ he said in a statement.
My guess, Netanyahu greatly fears a second Trump term as he’s now so in debt to him. Trump “purchased” Netanyahu’s unbridled support and got slapped in the face. Revenge could come. He let slip he’d consider cutting the money. Trump sought re-election with a “deal of the century”. Abbas, rescued Netanyahu by insulting Trump and ignoring his request for a counter proposal. Netanyahu undoubtedly hear Trump repeatedly saying he’s open to a deal with Iran, perhaps in his first week of a second term.
Now Israel is seeking an additional gift, extra weaponry. Little doubt Abbas is blind to capitalizing on this or even seeing it as an opportunity. He expects justice to be delivered him on the merits of his case. Regardless of who wins, political savvy from Abbas will be required
“… called it a “non-endorsement endorsement.” …
In 2012, Netanyahu all but endorsed Republican challenger Mitt Romney”
Means that Netanyahu believes the dominant predictions.
Not that there would be any penalty to him for being wrong…
Bibi is a brute and a crook, but he’s not stupid. He knows Trump may lose, and he doesn’t want to hitch up to a falling star.