Weekly Update: Nachum Segal and Malcolm Hoenlein Discuss the Latest News

Malcolm Homeline is with us, conference of presidents of major American Jewish organizations. We call this the weekly update, Mr. Online. Welcome back to JM and the AM. >> Well, great to be with you as always. >> Appreciate it. >> Pride from New York. >> Finally. >> This is what we're calling beautiful. That's how desperate we are. We're calling this beautiful. You You were sitting in your line with 82°ree weather on an Arab shop and you're and here for the United States, for the New York area, this is considered beautiful. All right. Uh you know what's on everyone's mind, Malcolm? I mean, this is not a uh a surprise. You know what's on everyone's mind, and that is um the imminent what seems to be imminent, although you could tell me if that should be debunked or not, that it's imminent, uh attack on Iran, whether it's Israel first attacking the United States first attacking. I don't remember this type of buildup in the last 12-day war unless we just didn't pay as much attention to the buildup and it didn't take as many weeks to get the equipment and military uh uh personnel and the um and you know the the machinery etc. the everything they need to to start a war. Maybe it didn't take as long uh to actually execute that buildup. But it am I right or wrong? Is there an imminent attack coming from either the US, Israel or both? Maybe. So, first of all, it is the question on everybody's mind and I understand it and it's the question on my mind and anybody who tells you they know what's going to happen other than the president is not telling the truth. He has advisers around him who are advocating for and those who are advocating against and those who will say let the negotiations run out. As you know they met yesterday. There was no real progress at least as reported but they did schedule another meeting for next week. I don't think that's a necessary impediment to um to action. I think everybody is sick and tired of the including Europeans and uh others about the um obfuscations and the you know the the fact that the Iranians are not yielding on any of the key points and I believe that they have new information. Uh I I saw it on the face of the senators who came out of the briefing and from other things that that I've heard from people close to the situation that perhaps about chemical or biological warheads or about uh the advances on the on the nuclear program. The um uh everybody knows that you can't trust anything that they say in negotiations don't mean anything. And that's why they changed that there would be no sunset clause this time that everything would be open-ended. It there would be no deadline for the deal. But uh and it may be that they needed more time. You know the USS Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world pulled up near Israel yesterday. Had been init for a little while. uh many planes have landed in fact in Israel there at the Ubud Air Force Base including uh Raptors and which are stealth fighters and uh aerial refueling uh planes. I think that the buildup is the biggest that we've seen certainly since 2003 and I'm told that there's even much more uh firepower now in the region than there was even in 2003 during the height of the Iraqi war at the um there are a lot of considerations you know there are countries that are supposedly friends like Saudi Arabia and others that have barred our overflights of the uh of their countries Um Jordan has seen a big buildup of US uh air force and and other capacities. We have tremendous amount in in the region. >> Whether this will be US-led or Israelled as you indicated is a big question. There are those who say the president wants it to be US-led. Then the last 48 hours they've been pressing about it being Israelled. the I there used to be indicators you could look at when aircraft carriers were moving and we used to report and I would say watch this one or that one and you'll know what's going to happen. That is not the case this time. >> Right? You know last week and even the week before you were telling I mean I don't know if I can call it Trump's mo but it's sort of becoming that that you know he brings them to the negotiating table and as he continue and I didn't even realize there's negotiations next week. I'm curious do you know when that is? You know what date has been set aside for that? >> I think I think it's next Thursday. >> So >> they can't negotiate. They can't negotiate on porum. >> And if they've made that if they've made that public and I'm being serious now, then we know this is postponed. Action is postponed for at least a week. >> Not necessarily. The this this next round of negotiations on this one, yes, the one that was held this week, right? Um but the fact that the Iranians did not were not forthcoming um I don't think that that necessarily is an impediment anymore >> and um uh it could I mean I call it Trump's mo but you know it seems to be his strategy. I will continue to threaten you. I will continue to threaten you and hope that as you see this buildup happening around you, the firepower getting to the region, you know, coming toward you, you know, you'll cave in. And I think I it's possible the president just doesn't realize that they don't have that red line and they don't, you know, and it's not going to make them cave in. So that's the first piece I want to ask you about. The second thing is, didn't he sort of give them an out this week as he and Rubio are talking about, you know, they just don't want the production of a nuclear bomb. Like that's that's what we don't want. And if you would just say, he said it outright, the president, I don't think he's ever even, you know, said this before that if you just tell us there's no, you know, potential to build a nucle to build a nuclear bomb, then, you know, we can come to an agreement and decide not to attack. Am I right that that a that he's sort of given them an out that that that strategyy's never been used before? >> No, that it has been on the table all along. I think um the the question of giving him an out is a very good one and the president you know believes in negotiations. It's the art of the deal which he he prides himself on and that's why you never know when he's figning and when he's when this is a real policy. We don't know whether they're waiting to have certain capacity in in the region. Some there are a lot of analysts who have told me that you know we don't we can't stay there more than a month. we don't have the backup there and that the uh we would exhaust the resources and you can't keep that kind of immobilization where so much of our collective power of the United States is located there. the um the fact you have three aircraft carrier uh groups. I think the president did say didn't just say, you know, give us a word. He said that it has to be a pledge. I want to hear those words. We will never make a nuclear weapon, which was more absolute than than that. But um look, there are divisions in the administration. We know it. There are people who who don't want to see an attack. There are people who do. I think there are people who are still negotiating because they want to be able to say that they did it or or believe that that's better. It is not because the negotiations are not going to yield the the what is essential and that is removal of the nuclear capacity and a comp commitment that that it it will not renew. Even if they give the word now in six months they're they're digging inside the mountains. their production facilities for on the nuclear program is being replicated and rebuilt. The most and and equally important for us is the ballistic missile capacity and the talk of of as I said warheads that may be non-conventional uh is very scary when it comes to them because we know that they use it. Look what they did to their own people. Even the president acknowledges 32,000 dead. We believe the number is much higher and the terrible things they're doing even to the families. They're making the sign that they didn't die at the hands of the of the thing and they're making them pay to redeem the bodies at exorbitant amounts when people have nothing. Remember their economy is in total ruins. Their the currency is worth nothing. How people survive on it be is way beyond me. And you know I talk to people in Iran. I talk to to the dissident and to to them on a very very frequent basis as well as I do to the Kurds and the Drews and and you have to hear from their perspective of what >> student protests are still going on this week. Right. >> There are definitely they have been going on courageously every day and you know they know they're being filmed. They know that the possible consequences of this that their families could pay a price for it. the um the problem that the dissident don't seem to have the ability to really unite and there's no single individual Raza Palavi posits himself as it but I don't think that they that they've come together that there's somebody and and I think the concern is what happens the day after and there are people in the administration I think including the president maybe who >> are concerned because they're not being given a clear plan. You don't want chaos. They don't want the IRGC to be able to step in with somebody maybe worse or to to take advantage of the vacuum that that will be created. There have there was a meeting in London this week of the dissonance and many of them came together there. Uh I can't say that I think it's um it's at the mature to the point where they really could um assert themselves but uh with the inclusion of Palabi and and others I think that you could get an interim body that could at least hold until elections can be held but at least stabilize the situation. Everybody's shopping for for the leader to to be able to take over and and even resurrecting some of the old people, those who were under house arrest or others to see that um there could be orderly change once you have it. So there are a lot of considerations that are going into what we do. But anybody who who understands the circumstances and we see the shift, you know, when we lose credit, look what's happening with Saudi Arabia. It is moving in absolutely the wrong direction and this is very disturbing because it's a it's a major development and it hardly gets any attention now when people including uh uh people we are close to who would otherwise be very keen observers don't understand there's been a charm offensive by the Saudis including directed at the Jewish community here and at others they're trying to say that all the reports were their their conflict with the UAE which is very real their the the changes inside the country, the anti-semitic stuff in some of their media. These are all serious changes that are taking place. And Saudi, you know, uh winking and nodding now to the to Qatar, which has been an eternal enemy, and some people say even they've gotten financial assistance. You know, the a lot of their programs have not worked out the way they should. And Saudi Arabia is a very important country. >> Yeah. >> And and but but even more important is the visit of Modi this week. >> Yeah. Well, and and we're going to and we're going to get to that. On the other topic, just for a second in terms of, you know, what people are expecting, the ambassador, ambassador Huckabe did recommend to his staff to leave, right? I mean, he's encouraging Americans to leave or at least American personnel in Israel. Correct. >> Non-essential personnel, which is st pretty standard procedure, but he's not leaving. And and I and I think that's the important statement. >> And is there Yeah, I'm sorry. >> And look at all the American personnel that are now in Israel, >> right? And is there anybody is there anybody in Washington >> who's sitting next to the president and whispering in his ear that any intervention in Iran is going to be bad for the midterms? I think that's a legitimate point of view. Do you think anybody's telling him that? >> 100%. >> For sure. And and >> I believe there are people who who who are saying that, you know, who are opposed to war, who who feel that the American people are not ready for it. I believe on this one the American people would be more ready than they think. >> So if I were to tell you that 70% of this country of the voting population of this country would prefer we don't go into Iran, you'd believe that or you'd say it's way too high? >> I think it's too high. Uh but I don't think it's it's impossible because the media has been distorting and not telling the truth about what the threat that Iran I mean there's no sympathy for Iran. uh but the fact that 90% of the people in Iran would like to see the intervention. Uh so you don't have domestic opposition like you have in other places. But you're right, the American people generally are are shy of any war and and don't understand the stake why it's so high. And I think if the quicker we do it, the better it is. Just get it over with. They'll they if it's successful, it will be down to their benefit. He showed all the patience in the world. Uh which is what one of the things I think he's trying to show that he let the clock run out and did everything possible to avoid having to take military conflict military action. It may be a limited action >> which is what others are advocating you know just to hopefully that would topple the leader >> right understood boy the not the not knowing is getting uh people are getting very very and by the way and I don't know what your plans are as as as the as the big holiday approaches people wonder about travel travel from Israel because you remember last time there was zero airlines I don't remember how many days it was that even Alal was out. But, you know, there were there were times there were days when no airlines were traveling in and out of Israel. So, you know, with the big holiday coming up, I would imagine there's a lot of attention out there. >> You're talking about Pes. Yeah. You mean a big holiday? Right now, it's Porum that we have to get past and see whether people be able to fly. >> But in our tradition, we But in our tradition, we call that a minor holiday, don't we? >> No. No. I I meant I'm talking about in terms of the airlines, not in terms of the mat. But uh you know the people's the insecurity and people you know call me with rightly asked questions about you with whether their children should come home from schools or stuff and they're coming home soon anyway. >> But I I personally hold that that if a child wants to come back they should absolutely bring them back. They shouldn't be afraid and whatever. But I don't think the parents should send the signal that that when AMIs is under a siege we run. >> I got it. >> They face it. We face it. >> Yeah. I got it. I hear you. Um, someone said to me, someone said to me, I'll someone who's planning on coming to the US. I will see you soon. War permitting. That that's that's the new caveat. War permitting. It's America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listeners sponsored digital radio around the world, the web.com and the single network and of course on the beloved NSN app. Just a reminder everybody, we're at 482 donors. We put out the challenge to get to 500. I am in total disbelief that we're actually in striking distance of getting to 500 donors to our campaign by the end of this show, which would be amazing. And I thank everybody who's donated. Malcolm, I just, you know, we've gotten donations, you can imagine, from anywhere and everywhere now that we're heard everywhere. Uh this morning we got Hollywood, Florida, we got Montreal, we got Jerusalem, of course. But Malcolm, I must share this one with you, which just came in as we were speaking because because you will love this one. You will love you. You who are always telling us to look at a map will love this one. Dear Nahome, thank you so much for all that you do. For those of us who listen to your station, especially Friday, you may not realize how much your voice and your work means to us here on a small maritime island off the coast of France. It brings warmth, connection, a sense of belonging. Wishing you and your family a good chabas and a joyful purim. With warm wishes, the Kushner family, Jersey Channel Islands. Now you, Malcolm, I bet know where that is. I, as we were speaking, had to Google it. And it's right next to Normandy. >> It's exactly where it is. And for it's famous from World War II. And um, and it's not New Jersey. People should understand. It's old Jersey. It's old Jersey. That is fascinating. >> Is that something? >> I wonder if they're related to the ambassador. >> Oh, that's right. Good point. Unbelievable. Anyway, that's a 10 times high donation. Thank you to everybody and please give at fjbunity.org. All right, Malcolm, you brought up Modi. I promise we and obviously we have to speak about him. I was a little surprised, by the way, that the American media didn't pay more attention to Modi visiting Israel. Maybe it was not as big a deal. I mean, obviously the Israeli media paid a lot of attention to it. And I don't know if we consider it in the big picture a big deal or not. Does this does this change anything now that that he has demonstrated to this degree the relationship that he values with Israel? Does it change the landscape of the Middle East? >> It it certainly impacts it. Remember that Israel and India together are a billion and a half people, >> right? So >> yeah, that's like that's like saying the Aaron brothers hit hit like 800 home runs. you know, Hank Gary hit 790 and his brother hit eight, you know, like >> that's that's what was meant to say. So, I just was hoping to see if people awake on Friday morning to get it. But look, Mod's visit is very critical because for to for Israel to have the relationship, the close relationship with what is now, I think, the largest country in the world. Certainly, they're surpassing China if it's happened. that it's it's closed if it hasn't happened but will happen. the economy is critical the the the linkage and you know there's all these IMC programs and uh uh which I won't go into but you know linking India to the Middle East to to Europe uh on energy on security the uh markets that um India represents for Israeli products not just military but and high-tech and how much interchange there is between uh that people don't know uh when you see the Saudi Arabia uh flirting with Pakistan to do a coalition with Turkey which I do not believe will happen but the the uh >> Pakistan's busy now right >> Pakistan is right now there supposedly they were bombing the Taliban but we don't it hasn't been confirmed the uh the bombings have been confirmed just not saying who did it but the uh but and I believe that by the way that there are possibilities for for Israel with Pakistan and seeing Modi there may encourage them to do more uh to facilitate at least backdoor channels. Uh there have been Pakistani businessmen who have visited Israel. There are people top people there with whom I've been in touch and others. Um but that's for another discussion. the the the fact is that on on if you look at the military exchanges and what Israel and India what Israel provides India and what India is now provide potentially providing Israel it's enormous and it it it could be the next stage of a revised Abraham Accord which is you know I've been pushing for 10 years to reach out into this area not to depend on Saudi Arabia and I think events have justified what I've told you all along about why it's a mistake to put the pressure on Saudi Arabia that backfires. The more you talk about them, the they raise the price and their internal difficulties. And I think that MBZ MBS is facing real serious internal challenges. The the movement as I said towards Qatar and towards uh others is is very disturbing. Uh though they deny that that is the reality. Anyway, the visit was a great success of Modi's remarks ending with Amir Raine speaking to the Knesset >> and some agreement on the Indian foreign workers. I didn't realize Israel was so desperate for foreign workers in the tens of thousands. >> They need foreign workers for for agriculture and for building and uh other purposes. And as you know because they don't take they since October 7th uh the Palestinians uh certainly nobody from Gaza. It used to be 15,000 people a day coming from Gaza including those who carried out the massacre on October 7th. So that's is not happening and you need to replace it. >> What was it what what was the Indian referring to the country of India? What was their attitude during the war? Did they support Israel? Would they did they stay completely out of it 5 10 years ago? Was there also this close relationship between the two countries? >> No, it wasn't as close. Modi has certainly raised it. I've met with him and and I can tell you it's so sincere. It's it's so obvious how what his feelings are and um so the relationship was was for a while was not even good. >> During during the war, did he support Israel or he stayed no neutral? >> No, they were supportive. Um but the you remember India is the second largest Muslim country in the world. Yes. Second largest Muslim country. I think they have 250 million Muslims in India. They have a lot of everything. But it's a a Hindu country and there's a lot of tension with the Muslim population because of the relationship with Pakistan. Um it's tensions there. They um but I think that this goes far beyond it. It's I think it's a really sincere um affinity on the part of Modi and many people in India the the polls show it. They identify with Israel's struggle. They uh you remember they both became independent I think the same time um the same year uh at least and so there are natural ties and the I speak to Israeli businessmen who go there and I've been invited. I'm not I've never yet made it there because you need a lot of time to visit India. It's a big country. Um but but know that this is this has been going on for a long time. The the relationship just deepens and I pray for Modi's health and and sustainability. But I think I think that the people support it as well. >> Wow. Very interesting. I'll tell you this was a real eye openener. And why do you think the American media didn't pay much attention to this meeting? Or am I making too big a deal of that? >> Not at all. If he had said if he had said Israel's guilty of genocide, I guarantee you it would have been it would have been a big story, >> a headline story. and and you you see the stories that do become headlines and the lack of accountability about you know um and you know I I think there is a legitimate debate whether we should be taking and giving Tucker Cross and all the platforming but frankly seeing him sitting in the White House does upset a lot of people as seeing Mani there yesterday too but those things you know which are are minor in some of those stories compared to a visit by Modi compared to the to the buildup even doesn't get the um people don't understand what this situation is in the region and what's really at stake with if Iran can walk away from this hole if Ayatollah remains in power the people of Iran number one will pay the price the tens of thousands that were killed of young people that were killed during these the demonstrations this time as in the past there will never be any credibility for the west you remember when they say you know the president gave them asurances which they take very seriously >> and and you know that I talk to people in the region a lot and >> and they and they say don't betray us and every time we betray them >> right but they have a lot of confidence in President uh Trump they they really believe that that he will do it and that uh he he's the hope and frankly Israel is the hope you see them demonstrating still with flags that that more and more the the Kurds and the Drews and the government are to they want to be part of Israel. They want to have a relationship with Israel. And many will admit that they they're only alive because of Israel. >> Yeah, understood. Um what do you think >> the UN doesn't care about that, right? >> Yeah. Well, obviously not. What do you think of uh did did you think it was ill advised that um Ambassador Huckabe spoke about Israel and how he had no problem if they actually uh ruled over the land between Eg all the way between Egypt and Iraq. So first of all, you have to know Ambassador Huckabe to understand that he was not making a political statement. He was simply saying, "Look, God promised this land to to and and not just the the the sliver that they occupy today that Israel has today, but a much broader region." So, you know, if they were in the broader area, he was saying it as a as a sign, but it's an and if you look at it in a biblical context with which he views these things, it it was perfectly understandable. Then, of course, the reaction and how they exploited it, the so many Arab countries and the US had to go and apologize. Uh, you know, they should have said to him, just look at the Bible. That's all he was making a reference to. And and it is Huckabe's reference. He is he spoke last week to the to our mission there the conference presidents and others and he's just amazing and Mrs. Huckabe as well uh spoke to to a group of 150 you know women who were there for the the wives of Khal people and others and they were blown away to see the sincerity the meaning what he he he he he says what he means he means what he says and he doesn't hold back on it because it's his framework. >> Yeah. So people shouldn't react to it. I don't know why they don't react more to Tucker Carlson's outrageous and and horrific, hateful comments and statements. >> Why? You don't you don't you don't believe we all need a DNA test to prove we're really Jewish. >> Yeah, right. I think they need a DNA test on him to find out if he's human and and where where he belongs in the in the spectre of things. But his he certainly is on the on the hateful um uh displays are just horrific. People shouldn't dismiss it because there are too many people who take seriously what he says against the Oval Office. >> But do you know even at my age I did not realize that the that the are they really Jewish thing is one of the oldest anti-Semitic things. I never realized that. >> Of course with Hazars we are we're not the originals. you know, there were black uh nationalists who were saying all along that the the Jews were were blacks and that we're interlopers, that I mean, this is a very old canard uh and saying that we were Europe, that the Isra, >> right? How many people have told you that uh the name Haymon is in Kamani? How many people have pointed that out to you? >> Yes. and and also also the fact that you had the leaders of Somali land and the Modi there. So how do you know that >> Somali Somali continues to make commitments to Israel and the US right they >> and reverse and US I hope will recognize Somali land somebody again as I've told you before they should look at the map and see how significant Somali land is and they want to do business with Israel the leader came to to to Israel u the foreign minister visited Somali land the Israeli foreign minister So while it's not a major development in to some but it if you look at how strategic it is the location and Israel is the first country to recognize it hopefully others will now follow suit. It's uh it is a significant development when Israel has limited choices there. You see Somali is is very hostile to Israel and of course doesn't recognize Somali land. Um, but remembering how close it is to the Houthis, you understand its importance. >> You know, you've been around a while, Malcolm. I Isn't it unbelievable when Porim rolls around how many times episodes like this have been occurring that that literally mirror the Purim story or in some way, you know, have some reference to a piece of the Porm story. It is 100% and you know that there is that we're told that if you read the the McGill only as as a historic document and don't understand its contemporary significance then you really haven't fulfilled the mitzvah and if anybody really reads it and you understand all the messages how contemporary they are how relevant it is and there are books that were written on and I think Rabbi Stalper others have written books which talk about the current relevance of what's in in the um in the in in the McGill that people will find it fascinating to understand how look at the messages on anti-semitism how the same themes repeat themselves from those days to this days what Hmon's message was about this fuzad what a danger and why what what did they say they did wrong nothing they never say they did anything wrong like parro like others I mean it repeats itself in every generation so yes you're absolutely right >> and one thing I got to bring up on this topic and I I'm you know hey it's it's almost porum so this is the time to talk about it but um the uh the the usage we're we're reading para zakar tomorrow and we know it's a biblical obligation and we know why it's a biblical obligation right we must annihilate a malik and the use of that requirement the use of that mitzvah in the Torah by certain people who are not fond of the Jewish community is so exaggerated. This is how they try to justify their opinion that Israel actually is, you know, committing genocide because the Bible says that if there's somebody that's an enemy of the Jews, they must be eradicated. They must be annihilated. They use this as a as an analysis of why Israel in their opinion is, you know, trying to eliminate every single enemy around when we say if they would never attack us, we could live in peace. They just don't believe that. And they use the whole Amal thing, and I'm sure you've seen this, they use the whole Amole thing to justify the fact that they're accusing Israel of genocide. >> First of all, it's not a humanitarian drive that motivates them. They don't care about all the people who are dying. The women in in Iran, the students, they they they prove it over and over again that there's no real humanitarian motivation that's driving the the critics of Israel, the the genociders, the the people who who uh have marched and and uh and demonstrating and get violent. Um and because they know, I mean, we know that they're trying to undermine America. They're trying to undermine western values and that the easiest target is are the Jews and Israel and that the the um you know the references to biblical message. What what but when we we understand why was it necessary? What was it that about Amalik that separated them and made them because they they went after the weakest and they the the kind of act attacks that they engaged in that people understand there's no satisfying them. And if if we realize that you can't accommodate to the haters that you got to really stand up to it and and isolate them. The question of whether we keep mentioning their names or we should keep focusing on them is a legitimate issue that we has to be analyzed and debated >> with social media these days. We failed that test frankly. >> No, but maybe it's time for us to stop responding to them that every time we respond we only give them a bigger platform. And uh you know giving Tucker Carlson the ability, you know, he didn't leave the airport. He just went into the lounge. Then he then he accuses them of of harassing him until the film comes out and shows him hugging the guys who came to to take his uh pay. He sat in the fatal lounge. He never left there. He wasn't isolated. He wasn't detained. It was all a lie. And yet he gets away with saying it and and continuing to to mouth all of these things to millions and millions of people. And they have huge reach. So, you know, it's it's the the the difference in in those days, the whole world may be knew, but but they didn't have a media of which to, you know, spread the message. >> Yeah, understood. All right, we got to finish up our fundraiser. Malcolm, thank you so much everybody out there. FJBUnity.org fjbun.org. Mr. Homeline, have a wonderful Shabas and of course a very happy Purim. Happy Purim. But remember that that we learned the lessons of the past that we understand the importance for today and most of all for the future. This is a time when number one we need aus we need Jews to stand together. We have enemies of all kinds doing films about our communities doing trying to isolate them and and mobilizing the anti-semmites with millions and millions of hits this week on just one video that is out there that is so horrific it's almost unbelievable. and and that the reason for zakur is to remember for us remembrance is about the future is never more important. >> Amen. Happy perman and thank you so much for joining us. There he is Malcolm Homeline weekly update everybody. If you are a fan of the weekly update, if your week is not complete unless you've heard Friday morning's update with me and Malcolm discussing the issues of the day, please support what we do here. Go to fjbunity.org. Again, we did not cancel this segment. We promised that we would keep all of our segments today, even on the final day of our fundraiser. Now, all we're asking is you join the roster of donors. fjbunity.org. Again, that's fjbunity.org. fjbunity.org. I we we had put across the challenge not only to get to our goal today, and we're going to try to get as close as we can, but we put together the challenge of 500 donors. Can we get to 500 donors? And look where we're at. And I cannot believe we're at 483 donors. We're at 483 donors. Give and give now. Rabbi coming up. Plenty more happening right here. You're listening to JM in the AM