Netanyahu's little helper
Opinion: If the prime minister is as innocent as he claims, why is he so anxious to denigrate Israel's law enforcement and enlisted Trump to reprimand us for not giving his friend what he wants?
If there is no credence to the allegations against the prime minister, why is he so intent to disparage law enforcement and the attorney general, stall any proceedings and drag the country into new elections?
B. U.S. President Donald Trump called on Israelis to get their act together and allow his friend "Bibi" to form a government since he was elected to do so.
Trump, it seems is telling us to disregard the basic rules of our democracy and allow Netanyahu to be prime minister even if he fails to form a viable coalition.
The American president's recent visit to Europe is an indication that our greatest alley is ruled by a person who lacks basic knowledge of history.
As Roger Cohen wrote this week in an New York Times opinion piece, "To have Donald Trump commemorate the boys from Kansas City and St. Paul who gave their lives for freedom is to understand the word impostor. You can’t make a sculpture from rotten wood."
To those claiming we have the greatest friend in the White House and that is all that matters, I say, presidents come and go, and looking ahead to the next president, Netanyahu's relations with this one could cost us dearly.
C. The current U.S. administration is not even attempting to present itself as an honest broker in Mideast talks.
Special U.S. envoy Jason Greenblatt published a tweet blaming the Palestinian Authority for its pending collapse as if he were a member of Israel's right-wing Jewish Home party and not a foreign diplomat tasked with consideration of both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Meanwhile U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman also added fuel to the fire over the weekend, stating that Israel has the right to annex parts of the West Bank.
D. The decision to hold another round of election this fall has been criticized by many, but I see some positive aspects. Primarily because Netanyahu may be unable to legislate his way into immunity from prosecution.
Still, his prospects may not all be lost, given that he again faces the three tenors of the Blue and White Party, who, unlike their operatic namesakes, have no voice at all.
E. I went to convey my condolences to President Reuven Rivlin, this week, after the death of his beloved wife Nechama.
My message to him remains to be strong as he embarks on his journey alone. His strength and sensibility is needed by so many.
