Robert Spencer on Israel's Struggle for Survival

American Thinker.com ^ | March 1, 2020 | E. Jeffrey Ludwig

[Kaslin]

Robert Spencer recently published The Palestinian Delusion, which depicts the modern struggle between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs (and the Arab world). This incredibly well researched and readable volume reveals the lack of historical truth in the Arab narrative. It also depicts the weakness of American presidents from Jimmy Carter through Barack Obama, the inherent contradictions and deceptions of all proposed "two-state solutions," and the importance of the Qur'anic notion of jihad that is driving Arab politics. The book is a tour de force of historical knowledge, of understanding of modern negotiations, and of the failure of American leadership to appreciate the importance of Qur'anic theology in the Arab mindset.

Of all the presidents since Carter, Spencer is most pleased with Pres. Donald Trump. He considers Trump's policies to be reflective of diplomatic wisdom insofar as he has stopped funding being used by the PLO to support jihadists' families; he has shut down the PLO mission in Washington, D.C.; he has called for an end to the PLO extolling of terrorists as martyrs; and he has moved our embassy to Jerusalem.

While the right to erect our embassy in Jerusalem was authorized by Congress in 1995, the legislation gave the president authority to waive the move, which was done by presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama. Perhaps these presidents thought they were being even-handed, or perhaps they feared a tremendous backlash from the Middle Eastern Islamic world. But Spencer rightly points out that this "restraint" is perceived as weakness by the Arabs, not as a "righteous balance." The Arab theme is that of victimology. Arabs falsely claim that Israel has victimized them in many ways. Thus, actions siding with Israel are promoted by the Arabs as though the U.S. is adding to their victimization.

[Jacquerie]

Lot’s of housecleaning to do after President Trump wins this November.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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