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

Time for the weekly update. Malcolm Homeline is with us. Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish organizations. Mr. Homeline, a pleasure to say welcome back to JM in the AM. >> Thank you. It's always good to be with you. >> Appreciate that. I I don't I would doubt that you Well, I don't know. I'm not going to make any assumptions whether you advise the prime minister or not. And I don't know because it's not the most important topic how interested you are in giving, you know, a completely honest account about this. I don't know if you saw it. There's a video out there of the prime minister explaining to the world the absurdity of the legal case against him. Malcolm, in the especially in the world of government and diplomacy, am I not right that it's better to have others do your bidding, especially when dealing with quote unquote, you know, a silly legal case, than to go out there and try to explain it away yourself? Any reaction like I've had to that BB video? >> Well, I have seen it. I call it the Bugs Bunny video because he blames the trial on his child getting a Bugs Bunny doll and minimizes uh the charges or puts them in context. And uh of course when you hear what he's saying and the I think he he did it because of the reaction to his uh letter to the to the president requesting a pardon uh and the response that he has to plead guilty in order to get a pardon because you can't pardon somebody who's not not convicted of anything or uh and the um and was something I don't think he can do because that would in fact endanger his future. your service as a prime minister. I think he would be willing to make an agreement that he would serve out another term or something like that. Uh open to it at his age. He's in his mid70s. But the video itself is very surprising. He's walking in his office and uh you know very staged. Uh I'm not sure that it's um it rises for a prime minister to have to do that for himself as opposed to having others um who can make the case for him. Though it doesn't have the impact as when he did it. And I think the decision may have been made because he he said it on air and people found it very convincing and therefore he made the video to make it available to a broader audience. It's it's a shondaanda that there we have that Israel has to go through all of this for so long that that for years an unending trial uh at least postpone it till after his term of service or something. But it it does have a a debilitating effect on his prime ministership and the fact that he has to consult with lawyers every time he has to go to court several times a week. And I think that people are sick and tired of it already that they would have expected a conviction and [snorts and clears throat] you don't hear people they raise it but only in its obscure terms. So that's maybe why he sought to clarify. >> Do you look at the pardon as a complete long shot? Like, do you think there's a 50-50 chance here or not? >> Well, it depends on the interpretation of the law whether it really requires a a uh an admission of guilt. And I think that the president would probably be willing to do it if the circumstances are right. But I think he's trying to check what public opinion is and therefore, you know, postponed his reaction and sort of left it open to seeing what what the reaction is and I guess what the general rulings are going to be about the legitimacy of of a pardon now without conviction or without admission of guilt. >> Uh remains of one hostages remains of one hostage remain in uh Gaza. Ron Gilli. Um, M. Malcolm, what do you h how do you view this whole process now that we've seen unlike what I predicted, now that we've seen that in fact Kamas knows where the bodies are, they've gotten into this habit, into this routine of releasing, you know, one or two per every few days or every week, whatever it might be, this whole game that they're playing. And with all that in mind and everything you've seen, is there no doubt that the remains of Ron will likely be returned soon to Israel? >> I think we could have anticipated that the last ones would be dragged out as long as possible because they know that this is a their bargaining chip [snorts] and whether they don't know where this last one is is unlikely. if they knew where all the others were, they probably can find out where where his body is. And of course, they they want to extract things each time. And um you know, it's down to to one. So I don't know what the next step will be in terms of their negotiations and their seeking to leverage stuff. You know, there are discussions already going on about phase two. Uh I know that they had some discussions in Washington and elsewhere about what the implications are. uh prime minister is coming to Mara Lago as you know very soon in December and there's a a long list of issues including the next stages in the implementation which I think the president wants to see in in Gaza but also the situation in Syria has heated up certainly in Lebanon with uh and with kamas it's it's continuing in Gaza You notice that they uncovered some more tunnels and they've killed some more of the leadership and yet they continue to fight back sometimes out of desperation when they leave the tunnels cuz they nobody wants them and nobody cares about the the fighters. Uh this is not a a national scene where where people are sympathetic. So we have very complicated situations for the prime minister, you know, has to balance each of these situations about Israel's security when he's fighting in the West Bank against uh resurgent terrorism or threats of terror when Iran is continuing to supply and attempting to supply weapons. Then you have Qatar and others, the Muslim Brotherhood front heating up with Turkey and Qatar supposedly trying to build uh with the Kurds, with Iraq, with others another front uh for that will face Israel and and the Middle East, the Muslim Brotherhood, which motivates all of them, is a critical factor, and we'll discuss that, I'm sure. But the um so the the the particulars of what Israel can do both in Gaza and in Lebanon are very complicated. The Lebanese situation, you know, we see that continues to stockpile weapons. Israel continues to find them. Israel continues to go after them. The Lebanese army does not disarm as they are obligated to do. And uh and we also see that of course kamas while they're in the across the the yellow line still operate in w within the Israeli territories in the held areas in the tunnels. so that Israel is still facing a multiffronted um conflict and you know doesn't can't just go in and wipe them out now that the you know people have asked me why now that the bodies have returned basically most of them why Israel can't be more aggressive they're not reading the situation right if you're thinking that way >> um when when will Mara Lago take place like toward the end of Kaneka or like I assume that the the prime minister traditionally would stay in Israel for the beginning of the holiday. Right. >> Right. I think it was either 26th or something was on the 26th of December after Christmas or or the 18th. It >> It is unbelievable. >> I know it's the second half of December. >> It is unbelievable if that takes place between Christmas and New Year's. You know, traditionally a time when the president is, you know, incognito and and and out of the out of the limelight. You know, it would be funny if if you know that perception that he's so close >> president is never out of the line, >> right? That's true. But the perception that he's that closer to Netanyahu that he'd even invite him the final week of the year, you know, to hang out with him. That would be something. And the specula plan, we wish we understood more. I thought the I thought the president would react with, you know, in a very negative way when Israel took out the militant communis and, you know, others were killed. Uh, you know, a real operation obviously. I don't know. I mean, you could tell me if I'm wrong, but I I I did not think that the president of the United States reacted in any very negative way to what Israel had done. If anything, I think he reaffirmed that Israel had no choice but to do it. And again, if I'm not right about that, you'll tell me. And the other thing is I I I I think many people are speculating that this meeting in December is mostly going to be about Lebanon because if if in fact Israel, you know, wants to embark on doing what they need to do up north, as you just described, a big part of it, it's going to have to be done soon and and likely it's going to have to be done with President Trump's permission. So even with Gaza and all of that being a major issue, is is it possible that Lebanon is going to be the uh the biggest issue when when this meeting occurs? So uh I mean there's a lot of issues. I can't remember even the first ones anymore, but the the what you know the president um I think works all the time. So I'm not surprised that he would continue and doing it in Mara Lago. I'm sure he'll be more relaxed. Uh remember that now Netanyahu is the leader who has been most often to the White House in this presidency. I think this is his third or fourth visit with um with the president and I think it's um it's an indication there are people who are concerned who believe that it could be a pressure point trying to get the prime minister to let's say back off in Syria. The president seems very committed to Galani or the administration to supporting Golani in in Syria. Something that worries our Drews friends and many of our Jews friends. Um and the uh so Syria is not an issue key issue. You know there were uh talks of attempted coups against the regime against some of the leadership even in the Kurdish community this week. there was in Sueda an attempt which people believe that Galani and Jordan and others were involved in. So Syria is is an ongoing front. Uh we see again Turkey and others trying to as I mentioned the Muslim Brotherhood front uh being active there and of course Russia always uh operating on the fringes uh with Iran wanting to trying to get a a foothold back there but more actively involved in Iraq and we saw in the elections in Iraq that there's reason to be concerned there. Mhm. >> The Lebanon front, you're absolutely right, is a critical one and everybody thought it was lowhanging fruit and because the the government there keeps saying or hinting the right things, but they're not doing the right things and they're not really taking an assertive action. And the people in Israel are not going back to the north. They're not going back to their homes because they're afraid that this thing could, you know, act up again and and recreate. And if you notice Israel operating south of the Latani almost every day having to take out the and and it still boggles the mind at the infrastructure that exists there. People, you know, I hope can now understand how complicated what Israel faced was if they're still taking out and bombing arms depots and and weapons supplies and and new ones and old ones to understand what Israel's up against. And of course Gaza they want movement on it because the president others have staked a lot uh on it and the pressure from Qatar which continues to be welcomed and while we move to outlaw the Muslim Brotherhood we're not looking at who's funding the Muslim Brotherhood today which is Qatar mainly and Turkey are the moving forces behind it and I think moving against Muslim Brotherhood is critical here in the United States where they increasingly establish themselves and are acting them on our campuses. We see by the way Qatar now investing billions in Hollywood that because they are trying to build a network of influences. They've done it in the media. They've done it in everything. Now they're focusing on Hollywood and we will have to talk about that at another time about counter measures and things that we have to do as well. But they're looking at every pressure point, every way place to influence public opinion and to insert themselves. they're doing in the business world with hundreds of billions of dollars and they're doing it in our campuses with tens of billions of dollars at our high schools and campuses and now that. So I think when Natanyao comes there is a serious agenda. We do see positive changes. You see Greece now building up its defense in in a remarkable way. All based on Israeli technology and very cooperative with Israel, Israel, Cyprus and Greece, which gives me particular pleasure because we helped bring that about many years ago. Uh but also Thailand buying Israeli defense systems, others are buying it. And uh so there are positive signs. I think there was a billion and a half dollars invested just in November in Israeli startups and and they're close to 10 billion I think in this year. So when people look at all the negatives see that as well. It's America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listener sponsored digital radio around the world web.com and the single network and of course on the beloved NSN app. Our fundraiser continues our year ender. If you haven't given yet, join those who have have fjbunity.org. Uh, let me ask you a couple of things from this side of the world. What do you think of the of the executive orders from the current mayor of New York City about city agencies regarding BDS, about um bond investment in Israel, etc., etc.? What do you think of this move right before he leaves office? Well, I I mean I certainly welcome it. I think it should have been done a long time ago. Um the law uh governing it's not a law. It's an executive order which can be rescended the first day. It doesn't have any long-standing uh obligation. Uh so the incoming mayor may well just dismiss all of these executive orders. Um and we remember that the the U executive order regarding synagogues also applies to mosqu applies to churches. It shouldn't even be require an executive order. Should be something that's a given that you can't block entrance to to religious uh places. Doesn't borrow them from it. It's only sets them back 25 ft from it. and uh what happened at Park East last night. There was a demonstration which I attended uh in very cold weather and congratulate the people who who came out uh and it was important because we have to start asserting ourselves on an ongoing basis in much more assertive ways and if they continue to try to block uh synagogues or attempt to to uh intimidate and as they said they want to instill fear. We have to organize and and we need to have rapid response teams that people will volunteer to come to two three events a year. We have enough Jews that we can spread it out throughout the the year to come. And and we have to be present. We have to show and build alliances with others that this is unacceptable and and so the the mayor I think is did it as a good faith effort um to put the markers down. I have to say I think Governor Hokll's reaction to the proposed legislation on this was very disappointing especially for a guminatorial candidate that she didn't uh stand up to this issue and say absolutely we're going to take action on this rather than I'm going to look at it or it should have been a a very clear declarative reaction that this should have been done and would be done immediately. Uh it's not a a unique movement measure to the Jewish community though right now our institutions are under assault. So I think you'll see the new mayor quickly acting on a lot of these things. >> What do you think what do you think of a travel ban out of Washington aimed at 30 countries this week? >> Well, you're talking about the immigration ban or >> Yeah. So you know it's Yeah. I called the travel ban. Sorry. >> [snorts] >> Uh so it it's 19 countries that are listed on this on this initial uh measure. Most of them uh [clears throat] are a lot of South American etc. Uh and places where we've had the big immigration into the United States. It's been unfettered as you know and and the Somali incidents I think in have have highlighted it. But for us, the the inclusion, for instance, of Iran will mean that Jews trying to escape Iran to come to to the United States are also barred, >> right? >> And and will be blocked and they have been. I mean, we haven't had immigration for a long time. and and uh >> there should be exemptions for bahigh for people who face religious persecution Christians in Iran in in some of these countries where you know like we're doing for Africconers from South Africa there should be some exemption for people who who are pro-American and pro west and are facing religious persecution. >> Uh I thought I was right. Homeland Security Secretary Christine Gnome said the US will expand its travel ban to more than 30 countries as the Trump administration broadens its securitydriven restrictions. The US plans to expand the number covered by its travel ban to more than 30 according to the secretary. Um let's play let's this is let's speak a bit more. I asked you about Mayor Adams. Let's speak about more about the whole anti-semitism issue. This is um this is a piece from a conference you were at earlier this week and once we hear what you had to say I want to ask you a couple of questions about here it is. This is the Israel Hayom conference from earlier this week. >> We are facing a pinsir movement of the extreme left and extreme right and when they go far enough they look identical and they are finding common cause against one target. The problem is that we have not got a sophisticated, thoughtful approach on the part of the community. We have more than 200 organizations formed in the last few years to fight anti-semitism. We're spending well into the nine figures to fight anti-semitism when in fact we're winning a few battles and losing the war. There is no accountability for the money. There is no coordinated effort with the money. And it's time the community and the leaders of the community get together and say we're going to hold people to account to make sure that the money is spent in very effectual ways. >> All right. So, I'll get to the organizational piece on this which is fascinating. But this does pit you against the uh vice president of the United States because you cite the far right and the far left in terms of them getting to a common goal or a common place in regards to an attitude toward Jews. The vice president JD Vance has rejected claims that anti-semitism is growing in the GOP. Your reaction? Well, the facts speak for themselves. We see the manifestations the Tucker Katarlson as they call him uh the because of the support he's getting and he is going to speak at the Doha conference in Qatar. So, if anybody wants to wants proof of the the linkages and the associations and the money that is pouring into these guys and the um to see uh on the right, I think it's not as bad as it saw on the Democratic left and on the left side, but it is catching up that we're seeing more and more manifestations of anti-semitism and and as I said, you know, when they go to the extremes, they look identical. that have the same tattoos and bandanas and and attitudes and the the if to ignore one at the expense of the other would be a mistake. We have to do both. We have to approach this and and build uh aiite united movement that addresses the challenges on both sides of the equation of the agenda of the community of haters that faces us. So, what I was calling for there was something that I've even said here before, and that is it's time for us to wake up. We're spending hundreds of millions of dollars. Where are the results for that? Many well-intentioned, many of them, I would say almost all well-intentioned, but there's no accountability. Nobody's saying, "Let's see who's doing the same thing. How do we maximize the effectiveness of the money we're facing?" because we're facing enemies that can pour billions and billions of dollars into these efforts. We don't need to. I still believe we have a reservoir of goodwill amongst the American people. I do believe that we have a majority of the American people with us and the the certain manifestations even the mayor election shouldn't be considered uh uh the ultimate measure of of uh where people stand. It is true that it's very disturbing. It's true that people didn't find his anti-semitism a reason not to vote for him and for some a reason yes to vote for him um because of uh you know because of those stance but there has to be some we built a movement to take on the Soviet Union that was a power the second most powerful entity in the world and we did it by bringing everybody together and many non-Jews join us and I I will say that I I met with a very prominent media non-Jew last night who blew me away by understanding of of the phenomenon and his advice about how to to we have to confront it. Many people and I'm telling you minority communities and others will join us but as they did on Soviet jury but if we're not there first they won't be there and it's time for us to say to all those who are giving the the money that they join us in holding to account the recipients not in a negative way but to say if two organizations are doing the same thing make a merge make them do do it in cooperative ways. We have some remarkable remarkable things, precedents shattering things going on. Organizations that are uncovering and and uh finally exposing the truth that you know the vast majority of of the hateful comments are from bots. They're not from real people that that you know can help break some of the political underpinnings that motivate political leaders because they think that these are really representing the real people. And it's not true. there are enough haters and there are real challenges that we have to confront but we have to be there we have to be in the 21st century the 22nd century now we have to be in AI we have to utilize all of these means there are people doing it but they [clears throat] have to struggle for the money and I I so that's why I think if we had accountability if we had forensic accountants joining some of the wealthy donors wealth and activists and sit together and each organization present and see where the money's going how is it being spent H how much is just uh press releases and and who has real activity so that we can support the most effective things. We'll need them more than ever. We have to mobilize now for the 26th election. We should have everybody now doing voter registration. We should be looking for candidates from within our community that can run for office and make sure they have support, train young people to go into civil service to be able to uh go in and even if it's for a few years to be to to play a role. The other side is doing it. They have a very concerted and and if people understood how dedicated effort to this to to get people to run for convention delegates for city council for for local uh offices so that they'll be in the pipeline for a higher office >> is on the organizational front I mean is there somebody that I mean I'm not asking for names although maybe Rabbi Yehuda Caplo would be a good suggestion but I mean is there anybody who can coordinate this who could actually bring these organizations together if in fact you're right that there's 200 paid for efforts uh to combat anti-semitism in the Jewish world in the United States. I never heard that figure before. If you're if you're even close to accurate, who's going to go ahead and coordinate all this? So look, there are 50 organizations more than that in the conference of presidents from before. So you can imagine that and they all give birth to many others that uh um so Katlo is a wonderful person and I and hopefully his confirmation before the end of the year and that he'll be in office and you have others in the administration who have been like Terrell and others in the department of justice who have been wonderful on this. So we shouldn't um you know just focus on the questions we have about others. Um but um so I can't name somebody right now who who might be able to do overthink. I think it has to be a collective action. Uh I can name some of the donors who have been giving money to to these causes in very constructive and extremely generous ways that they should take the lead because there's nothing that will bring the more discipline than if the funding is is put on the line. And and I don't mean it in a punitive way. I'm talking about it in really a positive way and that there are because there are really good initiatives that are starving for money and and get lost in the wayside. I've met amazing people who since October 7th are devoting their lives to this and and and developing things and and doing it all on their own dime and and don't know how to break into the system. >> Yeah, we get that. We get that. But on the subject of of anti-semitism, on another front, uh, once Israel was declared acceptable to participate in the next Euro Vision contest, what do you think of the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia backing out? Well, we'll see if they really stay out of it, but it it's uh it just tells you how vicious the hate is that even when it means sacrificing their own interests that they they will do anything as long as it's a way to express hate of Israel and of course ultimately of Jews. And it's uh I I applaud the decision that Israel was sustained for this is only for the 26th year. They said they will review it about the future, >> right? and um and you know that Israel has done well in the in the results so they have to so but then they create these charges saying oh it's manipulated this government manipulated results etc >> when [snorts] when they don't think that all those other votes are and and the fact is that Israel had supporters and people voted and there's no aloc there's no evidence of any government manipulation >> I would have to assume that that government uh I don't know about officially but that that governments and especially media sources in each country takes an interest to make sure that people vote in the way they think they should. So, I can't imagine that's only happening in Israel, frankly. Um, what do you think of the decision to open up the Rafa border, a one-way decision for Palestinians to leave at this point? >> Well, and I just want to say that most Americans don't understand the importance of the Euro vision. In Europe, it's huge. Around the world, it's huge. America, it's not. And so they're >> it's like soccer. It's it's the equivalent of soccer. >> Like the FIFA, >> right? Nobody here cares about Now I'll get it from all the Chelsea fans, but nobody here cares about soccer. >> Basically, basically a good analogy. >> And in Europe, they'll kill each other in the stands over a soccer match. >> Right. So what was your question after that? >> Um we were talking about the Rafa crossing being a one a one-way crossing. I think anything that gives that is uh you know can relieve the pressure and get people out. The problem is that none of the Arab countries want them. There's nobody lining up to say we'll take this amount and that amount as they they said. Um so I think it it relieves pressure for those who who want to leave and should be allowed to the um uh you know it's not a solution to the problem but it's certainly but that it also highlights the fact that you know Egypt has been closing their border but the world doesn't give a damn that that Egypt is is u not providing and not helping and if anything you know they move their tanks up all around Gaza in violation of the C of the agreement with Israel, the peace agreements in the Sinai. Um, and obviously a lot of concern about anti-CC movements, the Muslim Brotherhood, reassertiveness in Egypt, which is something we watch closely because it's it's a gamecher. Anything that happens in Egypt will have broad ramifications. >> [clears throat] >> uh and um and there are a lot of things happening in other countries that gets no attention right now, but if they got more support from the west, we might see more positive movements. >> Yeah, understood. By the way, I read this article, I think it was a Jerusalem Post article about social mores being completely different now in Iran. Is it true like rock and roll music and more of a presence of women in certain public situations is much more acceptable there now? I would take out the much and yes there are evidence and and I spoke about this for many years that we knew that there's a rebellion amongst young people because when you go to their campuses and stuff they take off the basis >> I just didn't realize they get away with it >> well I wouldn't say yet that's that's what I'm saying there's no revolution yet some of this is because they have to let off steam they need to to give them an outlet because there's you know big sectors of Iran have no water no electricity, the economy is in ruin. There are no jobs for young people. Young people are leaving. The brain drain in Iran is immense. Uh I'm talking about tens and tens of thousands of their brightest and best leaving. And the uh so they're still investing in their nuclear program. They're still investing in in um in in their building up their military capacity. So it's, you know, Iran hasn't changed and the only thing they're doing now is they can't face them off all over the country on this and so that they give him a little bit of leeway, but overall there's no revolutionary change yet. By the way, I and you look, the army issue, you know, decadesl long issue in terms of participation, decadesl long issue obviously has the potential, god forbid, god forbid, to really divide us. This audience certainly knows where I I mean, we have a son in the army, so you know, everyone knows where I stand on it, but they got to get back to the table and at least deal with the whole incarceration issue. I get it. Someone breaks a law, doesn't report for army service, they got to go to I get the whole thing, but they got to at least start there. If they're going to repair and try to heal this thing, they have to at least start there. Both sides have to come to the table and at least acknowledge that there's no benefit, at least in my opinion, to actually throw these guys in jail. agree or not? Look, I think that the pressure has built up so much and at this issue which is extremely divisive and um you know I still believe that there are accommodations you you take all the guys in Zaka they could work in hospitals there's stuff that could be done that if and and we're talking about a limited number not talking about everybody right >> and I I I I agree that this you know just punitive measures are not the answer we have to find some way and there has to be accommodation on both sides and you've seen that some of the rashi yeshiva have made statements >> and you speak to them. You speak to the rashi yeshiva. You speak to the Torah giants and obviously you speak to the giants in government. This is your chance Malcolm. Get them all at the table. Let's start at least healing this process. >> I think there are much more important people have tried and who have asserted themselves. The problem is it's so tied to the to the general political thing and now situation and with people looking at an election next year this becomes magnified and the divisions become magnified. I would hope that there are and there are people who are trying to come up with constructive solutions and we do see the new uh ele new units being created for guys which include the element. They learn they they have much stricter kash rules. They have everything to accommodate them. Uh it seems to me that there are enough guys who are not learning full-time and who who are and Belar Rebby has even said it in the past that if you're not learning and thinking >> I get all that and I acknowledge and I'm happy about all that but I just think that if they could at least deal with the incarceration issue I mean they're getting to a point where this is such a hot bed and all it's doing is exacerbating everything tremendously. At least let's start with that a some type of compromise or some type of action where both sides realize that that's not the best thing for everybody in the country. Well, I think the leaders on both sides realize it. We have a lot of hot heads and and again political exploiters who will who see this as a as a leverage in the upcoming election on both sides I guess to rally support for and against. Uh but I think you know it's because it's become so emotional and so entwined um and the longer we wait the worse it becomes and the stakes become higher. So we have to find a solution. This is too divisive. It's it's it's hurting on all fronts and and certainly to the world as large. They see those pictures and they're very harmful. >> Yeah. Terrible. The protests, everything just crazy. Uh thank you so much for joining us. Have a wonderful Shabas and we'll speak please God next week. >> God willing. Have a great Shabbis. >> Malcolm homeline with us weekly update here at JM and the AM. If you are somebody who appreciates the programming that we've got going every single day, including the weekly update on Fridays, when you get to hear discussions like this, questions and answers that you would ask and hope to get answers to, uh, please support our efforts, participate in our year-end fundraiser to support JM and the Malcolm Signal Network going forward in year number 43. 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