Israelis are Trump's biggest fans
President Donald Trump faces growing criticism in the United States over his anti-immigrant approach, but in Israel he is considered a hero.
Leaders the world over, from Canada to New Zealand, from Britain to Germany, expressed revulsion at President Donald Trump’s July 15 call for four Democratic congresswomen — three of them US-born — to return to the countries from which they came. Among other things, Trump demanded that they apologize to the people of Israel for saying the US internment facilities for illegal immigrants were like “concentration camps.”
Sen. Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, called Trump's tweets “racially offensive.” Fellow GOP lawmaker Mitt Romney described Trump’s comments as “destructive, demeaning and disunifying.” Jonathan Greenblatt (no relation to Trump’s special envoy Jason Greenblatt), the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, accused Trump of “echoing the racist talking points of white nationalists and cynically using the Jewish people and the State of Israel as a shield to double down on his remarks.” He added that while the Anti-Defamation League has disagreed with these congresswomen on some issues, Trump’s cynical political use of the Jews and Israel must be condemned.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, the land of Jewish immigrants from all corners of the world, both the left and the right have nothing but warm words for Trump. To mark July 4, the suburban Tel Aviv town of Petah Tikva named a central square after the 45th US president as a tribute to his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Mayor Rami Greenberg explained, “Israel never had a [US] president who is as supportive and helpful,” adding that by showing support for Trump, Israel was giving him reason to continue with his support for Israel “and this is our duty.” The mayor also said that it was the duty of all Israelis to support Trump.
Yisrael Hayom, the most widely read newspaper in Israel, told readers last month that “unlike previous presidents who traded principle for political expediency,” Trump “is a businessman and a statesman with an instinct for justice.” The writer, Yisrael Hayom publisher Dr. Miriam Adelson, the wife of one of Trump’s biggest donors, Sheldon Adelson, asked, “Would it be too much to pray for a day when the Bible gets a ‘Book of Trump,’ much like it has a ‘Book of Esther’ celebrating the deliverance of the Jews from ancient Persia?" She added, “Until that is decided, let us, at least, sit back and marvel at this time of miracles for Israel, for the United States and for the whole world.”
