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

Malcolm Homeline is with us. Yeah, the whole world might be off. Well, certainly in America, the whole country might be off today, but not us. We're here live on this July 3rd uh conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish organizations. We call it the weekly update. Mr. Homeline, welcome back to JM in the AM. >> Thank you. It's almost good to be here in New York. Uh be back, but uh much better in your where the weather was much cooler than it is in New York. Much more bearable. Even in Tel Aviv, I didn't sweat because it was beautiful. The humidity was low, the sun was out, but in Jerusalem, magnificent. I come back here to this very warm welcome that uh >> Are you Are you on one of those traditional Fourth of July weekend American road trips or do you simply have an air conditioner on in the background? >> I I I actually I do have an air conditioner on and I will I You are so sensitive. >> I don't know. By the way, I don't know if you should shut it five minutes from now. You You might be fainting away on the air if you shut it down. >> Is it better now? >> The sound is much better. I just feel bad for you. We got to take care We got to take care of you. You're a national icon. You're a national treasure. We need to take care of you. >> It's absolutely true. But I'm willing to sacrifice for the Jewish people. >> I appreciate that and I'm sure they do as well. Your thoughts? your thoughts on this, the eve of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Well, I think it's very significant that periodically we step back and when we talk about all the problems we confront, which is legitimate and they are serious and I'm troubled by them and worried about it, the future here, we also have to take stock about how good America has been and the overall condition of the Jews and especially when you compare it to to countries around the world and the uh it's not something we should take for granted. Freedom is not something you take for granted. Democracy is not. You see how quickly it can collapse, you know, and and as I said, I always rejected comparisons to the Shaw, which I think is a unique event and you diminish it by comparing. But to say that that there are lessons from 1931, Germany 32, 33, I think is well placed that you have to look back to history to to assess where we are. America is different. But you see how this cancerous um DSA and anti-semitism metastasizes in society that people get elected who can pronounce the the things that they say, the positions that they take. And and what the lesson from American history is is that it requires involvement. Democracy demands that you be involved. So you don't complain because you have no right to complain if you're not involved. And you can't take for granted that America will always be the America of our youth or or America of the past. It will only be so if we're there, if we're involved, if we counter the the horrible and ugly voices that are are being raised and do it in smart and intelligent ways, not by attacking them, but I think by focusing on the positives and building up our political standing that the the campaigns that these guys are on was well financed. We have always more and more documentation about how professional this was, how planned this was for decades, for decades with foreign funding and domestic funding. You know, one study that we found showed that they they wanted to h to train a 100,000 journalists and filmmakers, 100,000 political scientists and lawyers to run for office to influence public opinion. And and they're well on their way. And then they then give a a planned in in a program about how to train people to run for school boards, for community boards, for city council, for for Congress, etc. up until the White House. And we have to do the same. We have to show that we really appreciate what America has given us and the opportunities and to protect our interests here. And uh you know nobody can project long term what will happen but for sure we can't take it for granted. So maybe on this 250th anniversary is a time for us to assess our appreciation to America love of America standards and principles. And we go back to what the founding fathers said and reminded and how much they talked about the Jew return of the Jews to their land and the the need for us not to take for granted to get involved to make sure voter registration goes wild now in our community to make sure that voter turnout is is immense. to make sure that people learn to write, to express themselves, to go online and counter the lies and distortions that are so common place >> you know uh years from now I don't know 20 30 40 years from now we we might be in a place in this country where people will never believe even members of the Jewish community will not believe that there was actually a major vice presidential candidate who was Jewish. and noticeably Jewish and proudly Jewish and and did not shy away from expressing his love for Israel and support of Israel, etc., etc. And I just and and I think you have to look at it, right? It's some type of arc. It's some type of apex. I'm sure as you get further and further away from the year 2000, you think that way. Am I right? That that was a a a certain level, a certain height that the Jewish community enjoyed in this country that we may never get back to. Am I making too big a deal of that or do you think it was a real tipping point? >> No, it's actually something we should talk about and think about. Um, and as you mentioned, I frankly did not focus on it, but it wasn't just that he was identifiable. He was a guy who was shabbad, right? and and most communities welcomed it and facilitated him being able to walk to events and and and that many in America saluted it and did not uh I don't know whether today what what the comparable response was not only for his religious observance but the fact that he was pro-Israel >> um but but it showed us that the vast majority of Americans and we should never lose sight of this are not anti-semitic and are not hateful and they have to be educated especially the young people, they're ignorant. They don't know anything. And you know, every study, every uh time somebody goes on a campus and questions them, the river to the sea, and they have no clue what river, no clue what sea, and nor where is where it is because they've been and and um to to think the way that they do and to give expression to it. And it's a way of being anti- US, anti-establishment is to be anti-semitic. and the you know the need for all of us to to step back and to think about it. The fact is that you still have many Jewish members of Congress. And I still think that the bulk of the American people, and I I I see, by the way, remarkable developments even in the last few weeks in the black community, for instance, wanting to heal the rips, wanting to and leaders in the black community convening to talk about how they stepped into the battle on anti-semitism. And it it was a sort of a throwback to to an era you and I knew and when we had the black coalition for Soviet jury and Hispanic coalition for Soviet jury and we worked together where there were always tensions and differences but we understood the common agenda which has have been broken and now I think many of them as well are coming to terms with this and trying to see how we work together again. They will agree on everything. >> Right. Well, but not to be too cynical. Is this black leadership that you're describing those who feel threatened by the socialist infiltration of the Democratic Party or I'm being too cynical? >> Too cynical. >> Okay. >> Many many of them are are I mean, we have leading pastors. I'm going this week to the Christian United for Israel where you have Christians of every color, every creed uh of the evangelical movement coming together in in a larger number than they've had in a long time. And with the participation of the largest number of Jews that ever have attended these events, many of them Orthodox Jews in fact, >> and they have a minion there and they have kosher food there and and um it's out of respect and out of wanting to build the alliance and strengthen it. >> And and and there are plenty of of minority leaders there. you're saying >> there are minority leaders and and a minority clergy who who are there, but they're not there because they're a minority. They're there because they believe in the strength of the US Israel relationship and and what Jews mean and and that those who bless the Jews are blessed and those who curse the Jews are cursed. And they really believe in I wish some of our people believed a lot of what from from God and and the things the lessons that we should be learning as well. the but but I do see it and and it's spontaneous developments and not because somebody from on high is coming in and doing this. It's because a lot of the people are are recognizing the danger that this represents. Uh finally before we go to news of the day your thoughts as we get set for the 50th anniversary tomorrow of the rescue at Antebby. So, you know, again, it's something that we put in the back of our minds, those who who were alive then, and maybe some young people read about it, but the vast majority know nothing about what happened at Tempi, the probably the most daring rescue in history. Uh, and you know, they didn't have all the technology we have today. And the, you know, of course, remembering Yon Netanyahu, who who was the lone person killed, and Mrs. Bah was the one of the hostages who died in the hospital in Uganda under very questionable circumstances and and I've been to inbi to see it and to you know it's it remains as it was that day. The the government in Uganda kept it as it was h and you can see the bullet holes. You see where all the exchanges took place and it's sort of a national memorial. Um, I think that the I was on the next morning I I we drove home, my family and I were driving home from the mountains to come back because that morning we were invited to be on the aircraft carrier with the president in the celebration of the of the 200th anniversary >> and it was in in uh in Manhattan with the whole fla you remember there was a huge came >> operation sale. is absolutely right. And we I sat right behind the president actually and I could I watched his reaction to it and the emotions of the people and were, you know, nobody can imagine what an aircraft carrier really is like. It's like floating. It's like a floating city. Uh it's so huge, >> but you know, I assume I feel the patriotism. I don't know that today you they would do a thing like that. >> Oh, totally. Well, they're doing it. They're doing it today and tomorrow around Manhattan, but it's not getting nearly uh the love and attention that you'd expect. And I assume >> about the scale, right? >> Yeah. And I assume that was President Ford, right? >> It was President, >> right? Hey, I'm just trying to show everybody that I know my American at least at least recent American history. >> Um and uh and someone told us this week that the at Antebi they renovated the airport. It is now the uh fanciest u most state-of-the-art airport in all of Africa, but they didn't touch the old terminal where the episode took place. And it's funny because you know how often countries want to whitewash uh areas of certain episodes and that's very common. And in this case, they kept it the way it is. Isn't that interesting? It >> it is. And and when I was there, one of the things I noticed at the airport, which was the old one, they had a prayer room for Jews and it was small. It was but it was and and there was kabad with some food there even as far as I recall. And there were prayer rooms for others also. But the fact that they had a a prayer room for Jews, I thought was very interesting >> and giving the setting. >> Unbelievable. All right, news of the day. Um so I mean there there are two primary updates that we need to to get to the audience. One of course is Lebanon and one is Iran in terms of a negotiation. Let's start with Lebanon. There was some type of treaty agreement new term memo of understanding between Israel and Lebanon this week. What was it? Was it of substance? And is it going to help things going forward? Well, it is substantive in the fact that it took place and that you had a government standing up to the pressure fromah. Is the agreement everything we might have wanted or at any time? No. Uh not necessarily, but it's an important step forward and they they make commitments there. Uh to me the most important part was that um Israel's presence in southern Lebanon is is verified is is authorized. They didn't demand that they withdraw from there which of course makesah boiling and they're boiling anyway that there was even negotiations and discussions with Israel and they say that they reject the deal. But I think that is it is significant and it enables Israel to have some international legitimacy in what it's doing as legitimacy because they're chasing terrorists. When we went after Ponchovilla into Mexico, nobody challenged it because you you were in hot pursuit and hot pursuit entitles you to, you know, to cross borders and and do things. Um but again the you know we look in the total context of things Lebanon is one piece of the of the bigger puzzle and if they can in fact reach an agreement and the fact is that there are no disputes between Lebanon and Israel there are no territorial disputes there's no uh agenda Israel and Lebanon had very good relations in the past if you remember the good fence uh I went through it many times when President Jama was the leader leader of Lebanon, the Christian, and he he was amazing. And I actually hosted him when he came to New York for the UN. They called me and and I made the event for him for UN diplomats and stuff because he wanted to show uh the relationship and his outreach. Uh so there is a history of cooperation. Jews lived in Lebanon as you know and Beirut was once the the golden spot of the Mediterranean. All the casinos were there and all the Arabs used to come from different countries and I visited there in the late 60s and and subsequently many times I was there during the wars and the people in Lebanon generally were were more sympathetic than and and anxious to have relations and if you remember there were um people in the Lebanese southern Lebanon army uh I forgot the exact name uh and they found refuge in Israel after took over and could not stay there. So they came to Israel and stayed there but they assisted and aided Israel uh during the the war during the conflict. So the and you see the demunition of the Christian population there >> as it than most the rest of the Arab world. So this agreement is significant. How longasting and what what will come of it we will have to see. But I think as a as a initial step it's it's important. and if some type of agreement, treaty, ceasefire was necessary with Lebanon in order to get the negotiations to continue that the United States is sponsoring with uh Iran, well, not just sponsoring, but directly involved with with Iran, etc. I is this now satisfactory? Does this does this uh uh treaty understanding that happened this week, will that be satisfactory to both sides to move it forward with Iran? Well, will never be satisfactory to Iran. uh Iran wants Israel out completely and as you saw during uh last week's some of the ridiculous proposals one particularly annoying because it has bigger significance was the proposal that Yolani uh the head of Syria should replace Israel and taking onah and even the president made illusions to it and said it and it's an idea that really was born out of Turkey from what I'm told and that it the goal was um very different than what was said because the they know that Galani doesn't have the capacity and they they are angry that he doesn't have the capacity to challenge Israel uh on and get him out of Syria and you know and that Israel retains buffer zone and also corridor to the to Sueda to the uh Drews community and periodically you know goes after terrorists. So they they really want the involvement of Jalani of Shara to to bring into into Syria that they should be on the border and start taking on Israel along the the buffer zone etc. So the the Lebanon right now has been blocking uh some of the the weapons getting to tobah is still strong very strong and the army there is not as strong as it should be and there is a national force whether they could actually take onah is very doubtful uh but the people are tired of the wars the people want a resolution and I think the the uh fact that um you have this step could be positive in the long run. >> Yeah, Natanyao actually used that uh that angle this week in terms of addressing the people directly and um and and reminding them that Israel has their best interest at heart uh against the terrorists. America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listener sponsored digital radio around the world. I'm the single network of course beloved NSN app. So, has shipping traffic in the straight of Hormuz picked up? >> Well, 100 boats a day are going through. From what we understand, they're going along the Omani side. You know, there are there are three actual routes in the straits of Ramoose. One, one Oman, one mill. The So, they're going along the Omani coast, the coast of Oman. And people should look at the map to understand it. And um uh so they are are going the Iranians have fired drones repeatedly at different ships and acknowledge that they did. Uh right now I think in the last two days they have not that I know of. Um but you know they're they're still saying that they want to charge and that they're going to impose fees and they're trying to get the Omanis to agree that they would split some fees. uh Oman is uh intimidated clearly by by Iran and has played sometimes duplicitous role. Uh so this it's not solved and it's not resolved and they keep saying but you got to look at the variety of statements coming out of Iran how the the speaker of of the parliament and versus others. You see the split between the president and the IRGC the leadership the military leadership and a lot uh we will see this weekend because it's the funeral of Ayati and they're expecting 20 million people to participate in the funeral in Iran itself >> and but what will be interesting is to see the positioning of people the relative power of the different elements remember you have the Iranian army which is weaker than the IRGC. The IRGC we believe now is probably the dominant force. Nobody knows if the sun is alive or not. It'll be interesting to see if he is visible at any point in real not in AI and if and if because somehow he magically could sign all these declarations and documents when nobody has ever seen them. uh and the um uh you know the rhetoric and what what you can hear you can expect to see a lot of anti-Israel but even anti-American manifestations and statements. So people I think should should watch that to get a good indication of the direction. uh the internal economic conditions as you know are very bad and people there are more demonstrations that are being reported uh on economic grounds but that becomes a more legitimate way than on political uh expression. Um the sort of Jewish life is becoming more public again they had some weddings and things which they sent pictures out about to show the the quote normal normalizing of of life. Um, so I I I think that uh you know, Iran has not changed and anybody who believes that they've changed, they still retain so much of the capacity to build miss ballistic missiles to support the proxies and if they get the tens of billions of dollars. We know where that money will go. It will not go to the people. It'll go to the leadership. It'll support the IRGC and it will go to again supporting Kamasa, etc. We see the demunition of kamas. It's it's it's hardly said, you know, they they say that they destroyed 83% of the tunnels in the areas that Israel controls in Gaza, but it only underscores what incred what incredible infrastructure was there. Look at what they're finding in Lebanon. 10 kilometers long uh um 10 mile long actually tunnels with all sorts of infrastructure built into underneath Boford Castle built in along the border near the border with Israel. It's unbelievable to see it and to see what they invested and how they were able to do all of this and and if they did it undetected that raises many other questions. Uh, so you know, we have so many moving pieces at one time. When people tell me they're confused, I tell them then you got it right because it's it is very hard. >> I'll confuse everybody now a little bit more. I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you for your reaction to the big news story. Coming from the New York Times and being cited by many uh US officials believed Israel was plotting to kill Iranian negotiators. any uh Israeli attempt to kill Abbas Argarachi the foreign minister of Muhammad Gobbalaf the parliament speaker would have derailed peace talks American officials feared your reaction to this report by the New York Times >> people first of all we don't believe anything that appears in the New York Times uh ex except in uh maybe the wanted columns the uh the uh we have no evidence that is every every leader was targeted and remember Agrai was saying terrible things and and was part of the establishment in in Iran. Had they wanted to remove him, they could have. He was not a hidden figure. And so it's easy for them to make accusations. Could it be that somebody proposed it? Absolutely. Could it have been one of the things on the drawing board that you know amongst many many options? Yes, it's possible. But did Israel try to do it? No. and and uh you know the the idea that this would derail it. The Iranians are derailing it themselves. They don't need any assistance. But look at what Agrai says. Look at at the at how uh how extreme his his comments and his attacks on Israel, the threats against Israel uh remain. And you know, they do still have a big missile capacity even though a lot of them are underground. And they say the United States can monitor it. You can tell that they're going in there and taking it out and that they're not going to drill another entrance, you know, to bypass the parts that were bombed, the exits that were bombed. They are very resourceful and they retain a lot of the capacity. They certainly retain the knowledge which is the most important thing about how to build it and and there are reports that they were about to launch a ballistic missile a a conventional missile uh campaign and that was why the issue was forced at the time that it was because they were about to hit both targets in Europe but also in the region of course Israel and look to the degree to which they shot their weapons not at Israel but at American bases in even allied countries of theirs, whether in Kuwait, whether in Bahrain, whether in UAE, in Qatar. And and we learn now how much damage they actually did to some of the US bases. And now do you know that there's talk and this is a very interesting development of the last week in particular though it's been muted for a long time uh by people that the uh they want to move American bases from uh Qatar where there are 100 miles from Iran uh to other places further away and especially Israel and I think the experience during the war about how well American troops got along and you know the positioning of American uh aircraft, especially the tankers and other things at Benorian. They had to force America's hand to take them out because the commercial jets couldn't land and there was no room to put them. Seriously, this is not hypothetical. I'm telling you what really happened this week. that America had to remove many of those jets out. Many of those uh large cargo planes and tank refueling tankers because they were going to have Israel would have had to cut the commercial flights at a time when tourism is anyway stressed. That would not have been a helpful thing during the peak tourism season of the summer. So they did move it out. But there is talk about building in a negv huge air force base and they know that Israel can protect their skies much better than UAE or other countries have and certainly Qatar >> and you just touched on tourism but we're going to get to that in a second. I want to wrap up with that topic. Um there's a report that defense minister Katz says 83% of the kamas tunnels in the IDF held part of Gaza have been demolished. Is that is that figure believable? Yes, I just mentioned it. Yes, that is very believable. But it tells you how much is there, how much infrastructure that all of this time Israel has quietly moved ahead in Gaza. They periodically take out a terrorist leader, but they've been consolidating their hold on the I think it's more than half of the Gaza that they control. I don't want to go into the numbers, but um the area that that was under their control. And you see that the bord of peace has rejected Qatar and other people's involvement that they are still meeting so far. I don't think that they've done much but they're well-intentioned and they're uh looking at the situation I mean far more objectively. there. Even this week, much to my applause, I'm sure many others have said that ENRA should not have a role in Gaza, that they don't want them there because we know that ENRA has been a front for for the terrorists and many of the UNRA people were involved in terrorist attacks. Um, so yes, they what they found and and now Hamas is trying to rebuild in the other side and they're not getting the popular support uh that they once had. Um, you last week obviously met with many people in the Israeli government. I won't ask you for details yet. At some point I will. Did people sh did people of note including maybe the prime minister share with you the future of Gaza? We're getting reports now there are members of government in Israel who are I wouldn't say insisting but are certainly leaning toward the understanding that wherever Israel is now they will remain. Did you get that feeling? Was it discussed at all? Well, obviously Gaza is discussed and I did have a chance to meet with many of the leaders in Israel though I was there for other things including uh a wonderful new initiative of as they set up a Kissinger Institute at Barilan and brought people Israeli experts and others to to with a elite group that they're trying to train to be leaders and to you know to I mean people who are in key positions. Um so that was uh very interesting and I haven't been on Baron's campus in a long time. It's really amazing and also the JNS conference which had 200 speakers including many influencers many of all stripes black and white and Jewish and non-Jewish and uh whatever who who came there. Um but um to your question, I think it's irresponsible when people start talking about building settlements in in Gaza because it just evokes the debate and and says, you see, this is Israel's true intent. When Netanyahu has made clear all the time that that they don't have territorial aspirations in Lebanon, etc., to say that we're there because we have a legitimate defense need, that's what we should be focusing on. And once you introduce these other things, it becomes the subject debate and everybody points figures and members of Congress get excited and uh uh it's it's it's counterproductive >> I think for the interests that all people share and wanting to see Gaza tamed and you know uh ending the terrorism that it comes from there. >> Uh a thousand days since the start of the war and obviously in Israel they they marked it um in many different ways. A lot of people read about that. Uh but back to the tourism a thousand days later. Uh as I mean does it basically come down to and now we can see it a little bit more you know in a uh larger sense because we're further away from the start of the war. Does it b is it basically coming down to price and availability of airlines? Is that basically it until we get back to the to the era when multiple airlines are regularly flying to Israel and competition brings down the cost? Until we get to that, do you fear we won't see any real surge in tourism? >> I think we are seeing a surge in tourism. Actually, you cannot get a seat on an airplane. Lal despite the um excessive charge for seats, which is a modest way of putting it. Um, and there's so much anger and resentment about it, but they're the only ones flying in in in essentially now Aria is flying in there. You can fly through Europe and there are other alternatives if you want, but it is almost impossible to get seats to Israel. Uh, and the hotels have not significantly raised their rates. They're expensive because they're uh good hotels, but you can get cheaper hotels as well. And uh you know the the number of people who told me that they're going and want to go and uh remains to me significantly high and I think will get even higher and I think for the demand will be excessive especially because you have a fiveday people will go for sukot because they have five days to do things in the country. Uh I'm optimistic about tourism. You know there are new hotels being built. They are the hotels. Uh I was at the inbball and your favorite and mine in in Israel and they are doing quite well. uh sustaining it throughout and of course they have Shabbat with Israeli uh programs but now it's mostly foreigners and uh they're fully staffed fully operational and I saw some of the other hotels they're not all doing great and it's difficult and people should still try to go if they can it's a very important statement to the people of Israel not to the just to the tourism industry that we care and that we you know come and we're not afraid and not not uh intimidated by the events and those who threaten. Uh I still say and and this is an amazing thing that people I heard it so many times during the last two weeks that people coming to Jerusalem especially those who are not deeply involved saying you know what I feel safe here. I do not feel safe in New York anymore. I don't feel safe walking on the streets in New York, but I do hear despite the threats, despite the dangers. So, I say I remind people of that and go and experience Israel. It's so amazing. >> Yeah, but it's it's July 3rd and American Jewish families ain't going to be doing the traditional, you know, summer trip. They need eight tickets on an airline at a reasonable price. They the hotels is not the issue. As you just indicated, there are plenty of unfortunately I could attest to the fact outside of the inbball, there's plenty of empty hotels that need the business. But as long as these prices stay the way they are, and as long as multiple airlines continue to decide not to fly to Israel, even with the Europe connections, etc., I just don't see how we're ever going to get back to that point. Well, one of the things that would help now and maybe we could start a campaign here is all those who are frequent flyers on American Airlines and uh and use them fairly, you know, doesn't even have to be regularly because but they could they care more about their frequent flyers, but people who purchase tickets who fly, write to them and saying, "I'm deeply disappointed. I hope that you will resume the flights to Israel. There's no more security reason not to fly. We don't have missiles flying. We don't have any immediate threat." And uh and as I said, if the American army finds the safest place to put their stuff is in their planes and stuff is in in Israel, so American airlines can also put their planes in in Tel Aviv. And uh I I hope that we have to build up the pressure and people should not resist going. I know that it's it's more expensive, but it's a great investment and it means so much to the people and it's a message to the world that Israel is not isolated. Yeah, great point. Great point. Uh, thanks so much for joining us. Have a wonderful Shabas and weekend and we'll speak please God next week. >> Well, I hope everybody has a fifth on the fourth and has a really uh >> He doesn't mean it. He doesn't mean it, folks. He's joking. >> I I don't agree. Okay. But uh uh >> there's certain there's certain shs who would not welcome that comment. >> Right. And and I welcome those shoes that don't don't serve it. I I I think it's um you know it's a it's a wrong value to give our kids and stuff. Although good scotch is always welcome. >> Yeah. I know it's a funny expression, >> but but I I just seriously that they should think about this and if their kids are home and not in camp to talk about it, but also, you know, and one of the things I think is important is that people should fly the American flag where they can to show our our neighbors and others that we care about America and and what it has given us. >> Yeah, you mentioned that last week. It's a great suggestion. Thanks, Malcolm. Have a wonderful Shabbis and a great weekend.