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

Malcolm Hoenlein is with us, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. We call this the weekly update. Mr. Hoenlein, welcome back to J M in the AM. >> Always good to be with you. Getting ready for Shabbos. >> Let's start with Hey, Shabbos is in almost 13 hours. Calm down. Let's start with the positive. We always want to start with the positive, Mr. Hoenlein. Thank God it looked like a lot of people came out on a really beautiful weather day this past Sunday in New York City despite all the concerns regarding security, despite all the people who said they're going to avoid the area as opposed to coming in celebrating Israel because of the enhanced security. With all of that, it looked like we had a really nice crowd there on Fifth Avenue and I'm sure you regard that as a great piece of positive news to start our conversation. >> It was very important, probably as important a time as ever to show the solidarity with Israel. I think we can thank the mayor for his inspiring words to to get people to come out to understand how important it was to demonstrate solidarity with Israel. The fact that you had a Knesset delegation of 13, which I think they said was the largest, plus the speaker of the Knesset and many other officials who came. The the number of elected officials who came, I think the presence of two former mayors, a Republican and a Democrat, also highlighted the absence. I think it's a mistake to have talked about it because people all the media reports kept focusing on the fact of of the person who wasn't there rather than the multitudes who did come out and maybe in record numbers, but certainly in way more than than than any recent year that I can recall. And we have to sustain it though. It can't be just a once-a-year reaction where people are prepared to to speak out and to demonstrate and with their feet and with their dollars and with their involvement and and with the elections coming up this year, you know, we had some outcomes that were very disturbing and and we can't be obscured. We have to continue to fight in November and in meantime, everybody register, every community, every school should be registering their voters. We've shown how a few votes can make a huge difference in races around the country and here, too. >> And right now in New York, if the election was held today based on the polls, the three, you know, serious progressives running would would win easily. So, >> I would I do not call them progressives. I think it's the wrong term. Being progressive shouldn't be bad. Progress is good. I think we ought to describe them in other terms that really portray them as retrogressives. >> Radicals? Would radicals work? >> And extremists and radicals and yes, that that at least voters understand that we're talking about people who who espouse views whether they they could be attached to the Shah Rahman, the the blind Sheikh to to care to other entities. It's and it's all blatant. It's not, you know, deep research that you have to do. It's available. >> And by the way, in in in your reaction to the parade opening, and this is really the reason I brought it up, not just to thank everyone for being there Sunday. And if people have to realize this, and Malcolm, I would love for you to just expand on this a drop. We're so spoiled in this country and especially in this area. We're so spoiled by the general um the general camaraderie that our community has with elected officials. Certainly spoiled compared to, you know, other generations and other times and other places. But But forget that for a moment. I just think I just think it's important to remember that some of these public officials are really going out on a limb in the 2026 atmosphere to march in an Israel parade. And again, even though, you know, the people that generally marched on Sunday, the elected officials, have been friendly and have been, you know, have worked with the community, etc. I I I'm not going to mention any names, but I could mention at least three, four names of people who, if they made a decision not to march, I get it. Meaning, again, they're watch if they're watching their back in the current political atmosphere. And I think it's a really important point to point out. >> Uh well, I think you're right that but it should not have to be an act of courage or moral courage to be able to stand up and stand with Israel. They know And you know, then everybody's saying, "Well, there's only about Netanyahu." No, it isn't. You're not coming here to endorse a candidate or a particular policy. It's clear what the challenges are today. Everybody knows it. And then anybody who wasn't there has to be held to account for the failure to to show up both in terms of marches and terms of public officials. And then for the public officials, look at the at the sidelines. They know what the media coverage will be. And therefore, knowing not coming will will will should subject them to some penalties and and can reflect that in the in the polls. But you know, we saw the elections and the failure of to mobilize against Hamas way of against other people who have such blatant hostile associations and whose views are so terrible and and talk about cutting aid and and in showing up at the parade despite the fact that they espouse views that endanger Israel's security. It's, you know, Well, have to be very disciplined and and not just look at the superficial reactions, but look at what they really say. You know, I'm really pro-Israel. I'm I'm a progressive Zionist, leftist, extremist, off-the-cliff. No. If you're going to If you're going to espouse the views that endanger and say, "I'm not committing to vote for any arms for Israel in the future." then you're not you're not a friend of the community and you're certainly not a friend of Israel. >> I agree with you, but those who are on the fence, who have not done anything radical against Israeli policy or against you know, what we would call a pro-Israel position, who then go ahead and march in the parade, I think it would be a good idea for their constituents to thank them. I think it would be a good idea not to take it for granted and to let them know that in this atmosphere especially, we're glad you showed up. >> Absolutely, it should we should acknowledge them. I think thanking them is a step, but acknowledging it and showing appreciation is always a good thing. The Knesset are they're human beings. You know, they get beaten up all the time. So, when they get positive reaction, it should be it's reinforcing and absolutely we should show that we appreciate those who who stand up for us. But, know know the records. Know what people really are standing for cuz people approach me about some of the elected candidates and it's clear that they've never even done a simple Google search to see that their views on issues of real concern to our community are often not good. >> Right, understood. Um And by the way, you know who the most recent champion of cutting Israeli aid is? You know who the most recent champion of cutting US financial aid to Israel is, Malcolm? >> Yeah, Netanyahu. >> Correct. And so, number one, as we've seen so many times, like you always say, you know, the um you know, somebody will be complaining in Washington about, you know, a certain policy and they'll say but look half your community agrees with me you know on whatever issue that might be. Now all these people that want to cut aid to Israel all they have to do is point to the prime minister. >> Well, so this is a a program and we've talked about it on the show over the years that there have been many proposals that Israel has always wanted to become more independent. They they dropped the economic aid many years ago already and they >> How long ago do you think that was by the way? Seriously, I don't know. How long ago do you think that was around? >> Um >> Five years or Oh, is this 10 years or >> It was supposed to be between five and 10 years. Well, don't forget it was phased out. It wasn't just an immediate cut off. It was phased out but it was discussed in the Obama years and and before that and and it was Israel's initiative and I can tell you from Malcolm Hoenlein archives that I once went to Israel at the request of Secretary Shultz. He was then Secretary of State to find out why Israel wouldn't accept the $7 billion in debt forgiveness at the time of the Iraq war that we gave to Egypt, we gave to many other countries. All of them immediately accepted it and Israel rejected it and it was cost-free, wasn't any strings attached to it. It was just an acknowledgement of of the imposition of the cost of the war and you remember the scuds on Israel etc. And and I went to see Prime Minister Shamir. In fact, I went over a week and I met him Shabbat afternoon. I walked to his house. We spoke for almost two hours and he absolutely said no because he was convinced by the the Ministry of Treasury that you know would send a message that Israel doesn't pay its debt. I said it's not You're not reneging on a debt. It's being forgiven. It's being given forgiven for other countries, too. He said no, it'll hurt our credit ratings. I said how does losing $7 billion in debt hurt your credit ratings? I said I'm not an economist and I may may may be some up here I don't understand but you would make you free because all of that foreign aid we were getting then was just going to service the debt to the United States. It was just paying the interest every year on $7 billion in debt. But that he refused and he adamantly would not give in and eventually Israel did pay it off and Israel stopped at the economic aid. So all the aid was military related. >> story and this story has to be late '80s. If Schultz, right? It has to be late '80s. And and then and then the gradual the gradual dependent the gradual independence from financial aid starts around 2010, 2015 in that area? >> When they finally are able to do it as Israel's economy grew stronger and they they paid off the the debt, but remembering that the aid that Israel got in the interim was paying the interest on that debt. And now the the aid program that they're talking about it is being negotiated right now. There are teams led by Yechiel Leiter and the director of the general of the Ministry of Defense on one side and Mike Herzog ambassador to to Israel to Israel the US and and military people have been meeting already to talk about the implementation of something that the Prime Minister has spoken about many times and at a time when Israel's economy is being hit by the strong shekel impacting exports and other things the cost of the war. It's particularly remarkable and I think will be questioned by many people about the timing, but I don't believe it'll be a one-day decision. I think it's something that will be implemented over time and that it be replaced by a strengthening of the US Israel strategic alliance and that we saw during the war how much when the United States and Israel can work together, but it would also go to development of the joint weapons and implementation construction of new system and the prime minister as you said it's been a primary >> Wow. >> proponent there are people who question it and who are not sure that you know Israel's ready for it but I think it's it's something that will carry its implementation will carry into the 2030s. >> I wow. What are we Oh yeah, that makes sense. We're already in 2026. Good point. You know you know we have so much currently to talk about but you're fascinating me with this conversation. Do you ever think about if it was a different prime minister that Shabbat afternoon? Let's say Rabin was sitting there and I'm not being facetious. I'm being serious. Do you think he would have had a different attitude toward all this than Shamir did? >> It's very possible. I think that you know Shamir was very adamant and I was very close to him and we talked very frankly over all the years that he was in office as I did with most of the prime ministers including Rabin. But I I know when it was Modai who had told him this and he was the minister of finance and and and Shamir never pretended to know what he didn't know and accepted this you know the the recommendation that was put forward to him. I could say the discussion got pretty heated. >> Yeah. >> And and and I had to go back and tell the secretary that it was but but I will tell you there were other occasions where I brought the message and and on a critical issue and instantly the prime prime minister Shamir implemented it because he saw what what the significance was. So it's it's not a criticism of him. It's he was a stalwart consistent his views were predictable. >> Oh. >> He wasn't a PR guy but >> I agree with that part. >> more to him than >> But consistent? The only The only encounter we had with him when he was Prime Minister here at JM in the AM was terrible because I Maybe Maybe I was younger and I felt I should I I could get away with this, but I I I I expressed my anger that he went to Madrid in '88. And if you don't think that that's inconsistent with his general policy, Malcolm, wouldn't you agree with me that that was inconsistent with with with the with, you know, the Shamir doctrine? >> It It was inconsistent with the pattern and with the with the views, and he is he did discuss it and I wrote about it. Uh but right now we have a different circumstance, the relationships are different. I think the stakes are higher in some respects, and but we forget about how difficult those periods were, and the lineup and think that what we're in is completely new. It's not. But it There are many changes. AI has changed things. The The whole internet, the way the the ganging up, the foreign interference, the the domestic bringing the war to our domestic situation to to to the battle within the borders of the United States. >> Israeli officials speaking to the media, which they didn't do 30 years ago. >> And increasingly, and you have a Prime Minister who's very oriented towards that. >> Yeah. >> And and is a communicator. But I I think that there are, you know, we have such an array of challenges that have been obscured or obviated. People don't don't really know how much is changing in within the region, how much could change. As much as, you know, the army has been effective, we see the introduction of the new drones with fiber optics, which means that Israel can't be jammed them and can't trace them. And And the the the the daily toll that every single day, virtually, a heroic figure falls in Israel. Young people who the most beautiful people and the so the challenges change they morph in time. >> Yeah. >> But the stakes so do the stakes. >> And that's why this week when the president of the United States tried to really pressure the prime minister for a ceasefire with Lebanon with Hezbollah call whatever you want up north. I thought he would use the opportunity in the time now in this case because of what you just described and how things were really escalating in that arena the whole drone thing and the injuries and the and the and the the tragic deaths of Israeli soldiers. I I thought he would take the opportunity to to back off a bit. Um tell me did he or did he not the the the reports are that Trump was really angry with the prime minister and he refused to back down. What's the what's the real story? Well, I wasn't there but the story as best I can reconstruct it the conversation did take place. The president did use the colorful language that he is sometimes reported to use and in this case he acknowledged it. He said and he was asked specifically if that exchange took place and and what I I I've said on in other interviews and things is that you have to think about what are the implications. You know, it's it's one thing for the two of them in a private conversation and they pretty frank and he keeps you know always adding that he BB works together with BB. He appreciates the cooperation with Israel etc. And points to his record. But you know, we have to think how do the countries in the region view this? If they think that there's that there's this kind of cleavages between the United States and Israel and and hostility that will change how they approach it. The willingness to make the sacrifice that the moves to to counter the terrorist entities, especially Hezbollah, to demand their their disarm. They're rejecting basic requirements. Not Israel's rejecting it. They are attacking all the time. And when you see the numbers, I mean, NPR says 3,500 people killed, but they never say that the majority were terrorists. And that there are people killed because the terrorists hide behind the population. And that Israel was going to strike only targets where they're attacking Beirut as much as Southern Beirut where they the planning goes takes place. And because they know Hezbollah knows that they're safer there because that Israel won't hit those civilian population. And if the president says you can't go there, then they're all going to go there to operate. They will continue to feel that they can do so with impunity. And and we it's not just uh you know, the specific words or the exchange of that, but you always have to think of what are the ramifications in the larger region. Will this will they take it as a license that you know, if they hang out and they drag this out long enough that they will get further concessions and that the US-Israel relationship will get worse. And and and how much coverage does it get that Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar have come under constant But it's US bases that they're targeting. Constant bombardments. Oh oh almost every night. We don't even read anymore so much about the the rocket attacks by from Iran against against them. >> But but but now you're expecting the president of the United States to be diplomatic like all of a sudden now he's going to start thinking about the ramifications of the situation in the Middle East if he goes ahead and pressures BB and and and demonstrate some type of rift between the United States and Israel. I mean, come on. I mean, I'm just you know, >> don't know what the president's real intention is. He mean, he's demonstrated in the past that his you know, that he takes into account that he really cares about the security of Israel and has acted upon it. Um I think the the you know, he he he is used to giving as he does domestically. You know, he sets orders down and I think in this case we have it's a very complicated formula because you have so many fronts and the possibility of opening up again the war with Iran. It's not Israel that's demanding it. I think for all of those who been promoting this false notion this conspiracy theory that Israel drove this war and Israel Netanyahu controls this should really put it that lie to to rest. They can see that Israel's not dictating as they have in the past either. They had influence because they're a key partner in it, but this is clearly not the direction that I think Israel would have chosen just in in the abstract and it's the relationship continues and especially with CENTCOM and it's CENTCOM that's demanding two more weeks of action because when we look at the objectives that were originally set out and we don't have to go into detail, but on the nuclear program it's not just taking out the quote dust. First of all, there's a lot more that is not enriched up to that level into the military level 60% plus you have 3% 5% enriched uranium that has to go, but more importantly you have to take out the enrichment facilities. You have to have a structure for really strict international monitors who are not being given access. You have to address the ballistic missile system and not just the missiles they have about 70% remain intact and you have to get accredited about how the Iranians built them underground, built special bulldozers that have cleared the way that they can be reused and and firing them that the the facilities for construction of these things should be taken out and then you have to get to the all the domestic issues the executions etc. etc. But there are three the main areas on the security front where the missile programs, the the nuclear program. They have all these terrible little fast ships that that, you know, skirt around and and and threaten ships and closing of the Strait of Hormuz. All of these are are acts of war that cannot be tolerated. >> It's America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listener-sponsored digital radio. By the way, I'm using the NSN app. Malcolm with us. Don't forget, take a spin at our raffle we announced, our June raffle. Go to the raiseit website, r a y z e .it/nsn, r a y z e .it/ nsn. So, it's possible that the president of the United States continues to negotiate and to encourage some type of ceasefire and agree more importantly an agreement with Iran. At the same time, CENTCOM is saying to him, "You got to delay things, Mr. President. We need another week or two to at least meet a you know a certain objective that must be met." That's what you're selling us? >> No, well, I'm saying that it everything they need two weeks of open warfare up to take out other facilities that we we did not bomb the infrastructure. But, we that that they retain. They are very resilient. Remember, this is a country of almost 100 million people. It's and they are intelligent, resilient. They've demonstrated it. Their leadership has been destroyed one layer after another and yet they continue to to function whether in disarray or not is not clear. We don't even know if the new grand ayatollah is is alive or not. And and I I think that, you know, there's so many questions that we have about the realignments that will take place in the region, but most of all, the message that if if Iran can emerge from this as the clear victory, whatever way they want, but that they hold a parade the next day and they bring out missiles and they bring out other things and if there's not the the the follow-up that addresses their capacity to to enrich, their capacity to and the knowledge you can't take away, but at least you can take away the facilities that they have and hopefully the regime change will ultimately come and now there are reports that the CIA was arming or not arming the the Kurds or others, you know, to to enable them to have some sort of a capacity domestically when you have the Basij 600,000 with rifles given out in January. You saw the the terrible toll and people aren't dissuaded because the in Iran when they see that because they see the West can't deliver and that they don't have the capacity, the weapons to stay to stand up against the the overwhelming forces of the IRGC, the Basij, the secret services, etc. And no matter who we take out, it seems that they you know, they just keep plugging every hole with somebody else. It they're less capable, they're less experienced, but nonetheless the fact that they could close the Straits of Hormuz is just outrageous that they could challenge the West in this way and cost hundreds of billions of dollars with all those ships sitting out there rising the price of oil, etc. We should have been able to break this right away. >> Yeah, and then at this point if there is some type of agreement then if they're reopened freely, a lot of people say it's too little, too late. That you know, the way ship and I don't know anything about this, but they claim that the way shipping works, we're going to be so many months behind that it's not going to help in the attempt to get prices down and to get and to get oil reserves filled refilled, etc. etc. So it may just be at this point, you know, that excuse the pun, but that ship has sailed. >> I'm not excusing it, but the ship hasn't sailed. We still can do a lot. But, and and it'll take Iran a long time to overcome this, but they're not looking about rebuilding their economy now. They're not looking at the the the plight of the people with water drought with everything that the unemployment rate amongst young people 50% that the economy in total ruins because the elite who control 40% of the economy, the IRGC leadership, the the government leaders, they have they'll function, they'll they'll do well and and there is a brain drain. Young many young people leaving the country um over time. But, the message to the region is is what's of concern and what will Turkey do after this? You know, they're trying to build the counterpart on on uh to the Shiite ring of fire, they're trying to build their own. And there were reports of the of the shift in terms of the US special envoy and then it turns out it doesn't appear that uh that he's leaving uh and many in the region are concerned about his advocacy on of Turkey where where he is the ambassador also as well as special envoy to Syria. Syria is in a very delicate state. You know, Shahara comes here and he's looking for money and he's looking for support, but you don't know the situation and how much the process of Islamization is continuing now under his leadership in Damascus and on the big cities as well as in Idlib from which he came where you see how far the education of women was impacted, all of the the things that Islamists impose are being implemented. >> All right, uh uh sadly I've got to go to another story from this week. And Malcolm, I I wish there was somebody or I don't know, maybe a group of people who could go to the Torah giants of Israel and express outrage and tell them that they must intervene in this situation. What did you think of the riots that vandalized the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg? What did you think of the light rail being stopped, uh traffic being stopped and in some cases violent and vandal type activities taking place in Israel. I don't know if you agree with me or not, but I mean it's one thing when you see it from people who don't stand for much when it comes to immorality, but you know, when you talk about a religious group of people or those who represent, you know, our uh religious community. Again, I think the leadership and even the ones that say they can't control it have no choice but to step in and try to control it. >> I I assume you're going to say yes, but uh I think, you know, the tensions that are increasing and remember, the number of people who are involved in these activities is still very limited compared to the to the overall population and the fact that most Russian Shiva others do not let their people their students go to these events or I do agree that there should be greater control over it and and and and intervention to what was done at the Supreme Court and and a religious Supreme Court leader uh is is in uh uh certainly intolerable in a democracy. You can be critical, you can disagree, you can take it, but you don't do what they did outside the home and doing damage and threatening and and the way that was manifested in those demonstrations. I understand the the depth of feeling on this. I believe maybe still can come to resolutions on it, but everybody has to share in the responsibilities when you want to take the benefits of the state. I that argument resonates with with many Israelis. You see that that more people from the Haredi side are are signing up, even though it's not yet in massive numbers, but I think that a process has to be developed. There has to be accountability. And there are other ways of service. I mean, look at all the guys who whether they do it through Hatzalah or or Misaskim or the equivalent, there's ZAKA. It's amazing. And and we should find a way of of rationalizing it and and putting people not to put them in circumstances where they feel that they can be fully fulfilling their religious obligations as they would, but that you'll find alternatives. And the army has to show that it can create circumstances for that. And the and the truth is there are programs. I know I'm involved with some where they take people from managed to work in security agencies and others. And for the first 50 slots, there were there were 1,500 applications. And the and it's men and women. And they and it's happening all over in many sectors. That doesn't get reported and doesn't get any kind of notice. >> I don't know if you saw, but a a modestly dressed female Israeli soldier was attacked during one of these riots this week. The police actually had to surround her to walk her out of the area to bring her to safety. So, I mean, it's just it's gone I know that it's went way too far long ago, but it's just getting way too far already. >> Yeah. >> Uh what do you think by the way that Iran decided to attack Kuwait and I don't know a couple of months ago if they were in the mood to retaliate against anything that had to do with the US, they probably would have attacked Israel. >> It is almost inexplicable, except that you know, they're trying to break the connection with these countries. I think it in fact is having a reverse impact. Uh I think Kuwait >> Yeah, Kuwait is really angry. >> Well, not only angry, but they're going to have to reevaluate their position. As I said, I think we could see some real major shifts coming out after this. I think we should stop focusing on Saudi Arabia. We should focus on India, connecting with UAE, connecting with other countries, of course Bahrain and and Israel, and creating new linkages. Well, their proposal for the IMEC, and if people don't know it, look it up. IMEC, but the train linkages and and the ties that can be created, you'll see how many other countries will will want to be part of it. A country like Kuwait has to look for allies, and and we have to make sure that we fill the void with these countries. Even the Qatar, you know, got hit and has to be thinking about it. I think that a lot of the regional alliances will collapse after the war. UAE will certainly pull out. Uh we have other allies to tie into, the Greece, uh Cyprus, the Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, a bridge. There are a lot of countries that could be tied into new alliances in the region. And uh and going all the way to Morocco, more countries will fall in line if they know they're not going to be isolated and have to stand alone against the forces of of Iran and its proxies. Uh that's why it's imperative that Hezbollah is defeated and Hamas is defeated. That's why Arab leaders have always called for eradication of these groups so that they again, like can come out of this war and hold parades and and demonstrate that they're not going to disarm, and they're going to violate the president Trump has called for their disarmament and and as a condition. Uh and they are resisting it. They and the government of Lebanon seems incapable of of implementing it and alone certainly can't but with Israel but with the United States with others perhaps they could and that would be a really major achievement. You know, rooting them out Israel is moving the line beyond the Litani because they're finding and look how little coverage it gets 10 mile long 10 10 kilometer long tunnels. Not in in Gaza in in along the border near the border of Israel. How they get all of this undetected still is a mystery to many. But the infrastructure that they have there with the with the weapons and and the you know, sophistication of all of these underground systems in in Lebanon south. We knew that they had rocket rooms in people's homes, you know, in their living room, dining room and a rocket room where they placed rockets and did it in civilian homes because they knew Israel would be reluctant to hit them. And but here is the underground infrastructure is is astounding. And the the you know, the the money that should have gone to benefit people all went into that and then you get the false numbers every day, you know, reporting on the on the casualties when there's no distinction between civilian and and terrorists because they integrate into the population and they want to raise the death toll. So, it's it's you know, it's such a complex situation. And that's in Lebanon where I do believe Israel and Lebanon could live in peace. They did in the past. They they they a lot of the population certainly wants it. They don't want to be have this Hezbollah terror. They're paying the price. Everybody pays the price for it and in Gaza the situation is different. >> Finally, clear up this confusion for me in the Knesset this week. There was a vote to dissolve the government or not? What was that? >> It's a preliminary vote that doesn't dissolve the government yet, you know, every bill needs three readings and they have to decide what when they really want to go to elections. You know, there's always the question of summer vacations and the Hagim and what people are away and people will be there and the timing but it has to take place in the fall so it's it's a question um, now when the Knesset goes out of session. So if they don't do it now then they'll they'll have to call the election after that which means it'll move into November, December. But it has to be the fall because the term of this government is up. >> But I thought we have an election date date already, no? What was it? October? >> I think it was October election dates. >> October something like that. That would move under this >> You but you need to get 3 months notice to hold an election. That's the law. >> Got it. >> And so if you don't call the election till after the recess and they can always be called back for emergency session but that's why a lot of people are pressing now for to to have the vote now. >> All right. So the the the election basically is going to be in either October or November. Essentially. >> Probably. >> Wow. I'll tell you. We could use a change at the top. I don't know if you agree with me. We could use a change at the top. I've been saying >> It depends how far up you're going but >> I've been saying this since October 7th. On October 8th I said we need to change at the top. >> Olympics or elections are Israel's Olympics and the you know, the um, it'll be very contested as as you know, because you have new players coming in new parties. >> Right. >> There will be a lot of shakeout in this and as you said even within Likud for instance, there are people who want Netanyahu to continue. There are those who don't that you know, the polls vary consistently in an inconsistent fashion which is typical of of Israeli politics. So I wouldn't bet on anything right now. I wouldn't I wouldn't go to those like sites, you know, where people predict what what it is because no matter what what you think they will come out differently. >> Yeah, that's probably true. Have a wonderful Shabbos. Thanks for joining us. We'll speak again next week. >> Yeah, have a good Shabbos and everybody should be well. >> Malcolm Hoenlein with us. Weekly update here at JMN. Today was an interesting weekly update. Started with a whole history lesson. And then drifted into current events. Uh so much going on. It's unbelievable. JMN, thanks for joining us on this Friday morning broadcast. It is the 5th of June, this 20th day in the month of Sivan.