AIPAC Antics

Washington DC is “burning” with 18,000 supporters of AIPAC and the unnumbered protesters. The Washington Convention Center is buzzing, rumors flying, pros and cons, and too many mis-statements.

Very surprisingly, Howard Kohr, the executive director of AIPAC, one of America’s biggest lobby groups, astounded participants when he called for recognition of “two states for two peoples” and declared that the current situation is “tragic”. As a non-Israeli, Kohr lacks authority and regard for decisions that can only be made by Israelis and Palestinians, not by AIPAC leaders.

On stage was our Prime Minister who  met today with the American president. They have much in common…. the warm friendship of two dishonest leaders, one who is soon to be indicted on numerous charges and one who is said to be mentally unstable.

With President Trump there is a real danger. He very often vaccilates, changes his previous opinions, and no one can truly know his sincerity and the truth.

If, for a far-fetched example, a country like Saudi Arabia would propose to President Trump that he could build a magnificent hotel complex with a golf course in Riyadh, the Riyadh Trump Towers, in exchange for reversing his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, there really is a little doubt if the president could refuse the offer. Presidents come and presidents go. Promises are made and promises are broken. But the public never forgets.

Sitting in the White House before representatives of the press, Bibi Netanyahu praised president Trump to the sky, as if he were an angel sent by the messiah to save Israel from the horrors now facing it.

Iran is the greatest threat to Middle East peace and world stability. But it is not a banana republic. It is a great nation in numbers with very strong military power which could wreak havoc upon us, God forbid.

Being in Washington for the AIPAC annual conference is a vacation for Netanyahu and Company, For a few days he is privileged to breathe fresh American air which does not accuse him of lying, breach of trust, corruption and a host of other legal complaints which may yet be brought against him and his wife, Sara.

For me, viewing the proceedings on the television, the one bright light in the antics of the AIPAC convention was the appearance of Jimmy Morales, President of Guatemala, who publicly declared that his country will move its embassy to Jerusalem two days after the American move. He hoped, indeed he was sure, that other Latin American countries would soon follow the American and Guatemalan examples.

It is important to remember that in 1948 when our country achieved independence, the very first nation to establish its embassy in Jerusalem was Guatemala. We cherish their faithful friendship.

AIPAC conventions are significant events attended by many thousands of pro-Israel supporters. The number of attendees is extremely important to AIPAC for the publicity which it provides.

The world watches the antics of AIPAC, very persuasive and dedicated to the security and welfare of the State of Israel. The numbers of those in attendance are significant to Arab and Muslim countries which, to their dissatisfaction, demand increased support to Israel.  In that position, AIPAC’s conferences are vital.

Those of us who read the Hebrew language Israeli daily press and who listen to television as I do, Arutz  2, are intimately informed of what the attendees in Washington will hear. We have no need to listen to Bibi’s remarks to the AIPAC gathered crowd.. We read them and see them every day in our media. We know what AIPAC will know even before AIPAC hears it.

As a lobby, AIPAC is probably one of the most successful of its kind. Politicians cater to it. Presidents delight in it. And therein lies the secret to AIPAC’s success.

Perhaps the next AIPAC conference will have a new Israeli prime minister to deliver remarks. A fresh new wind to dispel the staleness of our present corrupt leadership.