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. Welcome back to JM and the AM and S to you. And to you and everyone. And I hope people really take the time to celebrate and not take usim or Israel for granted, especially at times like this when we realize the dangers that exist, the threats and that the world still has wants to prevent us from having malign the full expression of that. And I think, you know, we we too often u sit back and marvel at the amazing changes that have taken place to see the city building at incredible rates. You can see dozens and dozens of cranes any day and and in any section of Jerusalem that you go to. So that it's you see how the old and the new cities have come together. The the developments in the in the city and the developments around the world still to deny us Jerusalem. So we should celebrate it but also remember our is our responsibility those of us who don't live in Israel and contribute every day that especially today to take stock of it and to talk to our kids about Jerusalem. Well said. And you always emphasize to speak to our children and grandchildren about it. And you also emphasize that every opportunity to speak to an elected official about Jerusalem is very important. And one thing I'll tell you, I was under the impression over the last couple of years that the um missions to Washington had uh decreased that there wasn't as much activity in that realm of going to advocate for Israel to mention Jerusalem to our elected officials. But I have been uh I've been proven wrong. It seems that there are more and more groups, at least from my vantage point, more and more groups that are sprouting up and that are taking an active role and spending at least a day in Washington uh or locally at their elected officials district offices in order to transmit messages like these. And I know you you always say and you're right that it's never enough, but I'm glad it's still out there, Malcolm. We have to appreciate the efforts that are ongoing and Norpack strip other trips that that take place that are of such great importance and as you said educating our local officials not to take him for granted and then all of a sudden you find out that a DSA candidate sneaks in because we neglected it. They're not neglecting anything. They're running races all across the country and they get foreign funding and they get the backing of extremists in this country. the the fact that they play on the indifference, the apathy and the ignorance of young people in particular, but older people as well who fall for simplistic messages. This is traditionally how the communists did it, how others have done it. The Nazis, when you give easy messages, you find people to scapegoat. Uh the the the ante are always the first target. We're never the last. And every society that failed to to rise up and to put it down paid the price themselves for it and and that is happening around the world today and unfortunately here at home as well. people become indifferent to it to become in your day, you know, and we put band-aids uh on very serious wounds. You know, people may not take so seriously Kristoff's article in the New York Times, but you have to know around the world how many people can buy a story so ridiculous, so ludicrous that Israel trained dogs to attack prisoners and sexually assault them, etc., knowing and putting it out the day of that the report came out on the truth of what happened in Gaza. Frankly, I can't read those stories. I I read the first sentences or two and I I couldn't read it. It's so horrific. It's so anybody who reads it and doesn't have a nightmare has to be completely indifferent or callous person. And yet the world's not reacting to it. the world doesn't pay. Bud Kristoff's article and you hear all of these leftwing shows on NPR video makes references to the to the uh allegation that Israel trained dogs and and Israel is going to sue them now. But where are the demonstrations outside the New York Times? Where where are the efforts? You can't boycott them because there's very little left to boycott. But you certainly can can make their lives miserable and and be there as much as the our enemies would be there and come to a neighborhood in Brooklyn or in Queens or anywhere to give expression to their to their extremism. >> All right. Lot lots of stuff to unpack based on where you drifted to. First of all, I'm happy to report to you that yesterday, at least the estimates that we were given. Uh there were over 250 people in front of the New York Times protesting yesterday. So that I I know it's not thousands, but it's certainly, you know, a significant group for, you know, a lastm minute protest rally that was formed. So there are some people who are taking to the streets and making their voices heard in that way. And I know that that's encouraging and I'm sure that that's a drop comforting. Um, the other thing is that and by the way, you also drifted into the Brooklyn episodes. Let me just say because I Let me just and I'll tell you in a minute why I was trying so hard to stay positive today. Let me just say when the NYPD is prepared, and I would argue even when they're not prepared, they're incredible. But not being prepared is obviously a major disadvantage. When they're prepared, they are incredible the way they handle things like this. Now, you're local. You're right near where all this was going on in Brooklyn this week. Do you agree with me when it comes to NYPD? >> Uh, first of all, absolutely. When their response, they were here in the hundreds. The the demonstrators came within a half a block of my house and when I drove home at night, it was late. Uh, I saw the remnants of it. I saw still the people marauding on the streets. Remember, they came by subway. The police had to be all along the routes. They had police in front of most of the important most institutions schools and synagogues. They worked closely with the Flatbush Jewish Coalition with with the Sham with the other groups that were there. Um but if you would see the the how this mass marched up and down the streets and the the hatred and the blood in the eyes that um that people told me and the you know they insulted obviously people and threatened people along the way. Uh you know the question is why are they allowed to march and and wantly there there are laws by the way that as long as you keep moving they can do it. if they stand still, then the demonstration takes on a different legal status. Uh so that that I think that but the but the the fact is that they can turn out these people whether they're paid, which I believe many are. And many could not tell you what they were demonstrating for. And if you look at the people and and those who got questioned on the sidelines and who would answer, you know, you get the same dumb answers uh every time. And and I want to congratulate those who did go to the New York Times. Absolutely. And and Impact, which has done a couple demonstrations in Queens on Sunday. It wasn't a huge turnout, but it got immense press coverage and and so was an opportunity to to tell people. And the more we do it, the you know, to learn from Soviet jury, it's the grassroots. It's not always the big numbers, it's the presence, right? >> And they do that also. They're present at every one of our events and a few people because the press always has to be quote even-handed, especially if it's a Jewish pro-Israel event, they have to be even-handed with the other side. >> I don't even know if people realize that the pro Palestinians are in front of the New York Times almost on a daily basis. >> Yes. And and and we are taking too many things for granted. you know, somebody a very respected person um who happens to be right now in Jerusalem sent me a message this morning about picketing it or boycotting it. There's not that much to boycott. It's a different era now, especially because everything is online, right? >> But but the name and shame does matter and the and the president and the and continuing to see how this mayor and and the revelations about his wife even sometimes more astounding. But he is as well he encourages this. He he he can say what he wants. Uh but every time he talks about it and and and attacks the the purpose of the of the rally. I don't see him attacking anything from any other group when the pro-Chinese government de events take place. I've never heard him say attack those events or many of the other horrific things that go on, the proter terrorism, pro-Islamist events. and and yet he's not heard and you know having a a shist party uh is not an antidote to it that we can't allow people to keep uh doing this to us that that uh you know giving the appearance that in fact we we can we accept it we live with it he's the mayor I don't say people should certainly no physical assaults and public criticism in responsible ways and uh and also not to to keep building him up But I hope that people retain Jewish dignity, Jewish uh presence at the appropriate times and not and not give uh the cover and to say what great things are happening when we know in fact that's not the case. >> So when he condemns the uh the uh symbolically anti-semitic flag flying over uh the NYU area, downtown Manhattan, you you don't give that much credence, does it? Let's ask the question. Why does somebody think that they can do that? Why does somebody Do you think that 5 years ago somebody would have thought to put up a swastika on NYU's building? No, they wouldn't have done it. But because of the permissive attitude, because they believed that the consequences will be limited and because of the indoctrination and and extremism. And I would tell you still that I still think the vast majority of students are not impacted that we have to continue our efforts to counter it. But we know that, you know, the president is in in China today. Wonder I hope that they raise the issues of the fact that China is pouring billions and billions of dollars onto our campuses and to undermine America from from inside. And I don't mean just buying property and buying doing other things which pose national security risks but that they through Roy Singum in Hong Kong have transferred huge amounts of money and continued to do so and to support these kind of efforts. It's it's not in China's interest in the long run. So that and and the uh foreign money that came from Qatar in the tens of billions of dollars and they're continuing to do it. The administration deserves credit for taking steps against it for for um trying to identify and root it out. But the universities still haven't come clean about how much money they get. They still don't really tell the truth to the public about the influence of the of these institutions. And you see that this sense of permissiveness. The president of NYU has been very outspoken and is very committed personally. But the very idea that a student can think they can get away with that. Now, it could be an outsider who did it and we I hope that they will do something to find out, but the very idea that they think they can get away with it in New York tells you what the situation is. >> You are on fire today, Mr. Homeline. >> Well, I think there's plenty of reasons. >> Did you Did you not confluence of issues? >> Did you not sleep last night? Did you make it through the entire night and just show up at J&M? Is that what happened? >> I don't sleep most nights, so it wouldn't be wouldn't be a big difference. Did you catch 40 winks last evening or not? >> Maybe 36. You know, it's double high. I go for you. >> And here's why I'm so upset, frankly, the whole week. Obviously, um, you know, we had to make a decision and and you and I made the right decision, weekly update today, even though the mutual special obviously takes priority. Uh, and I was really I I thought we could, you know, try to keep this conversation so positive, so hopeful. And I know that there are some positive and hopeful things obviously, but then this article comes out and I say to myself and I said it to the listeners early this morning, you know, woe is me. We're going to be talking about this blood liel article the entire morning. Uh and for good reason, of course, but it is very very upsetting. And I think it was Amit Seagal who uh who made the point. Shouldn't something like this, especially with the reputable New York Times behind it, shouldn't this be an investigative journalistic piece and not show up in the opinion section of the paper? That's true, but it shouldn't even appear in the investigative piece unless they were really going to do an investigation and give both sides and not accept the ludicrous charges that, you know, I didn't see any anything in the New York Times writing up the very positive economic predictions and ratings that Israel got in the last 10 days or so. I mean just across the board at a time if Israel's been at war as much as it is that the the growth rate of their economy is predicted to be more than double what in the United States is that there still remains the 11th happiest country that you know it's its ratings are economic ratings are just remarkable what's the US economic ratings I mean it's unbelievable the Israeli economy right now has to be and and obviously is we know what's happening with the shekelean dollar has to be so much stronger than even the United States of America. It's amazing. >> Well, it definitely that's what if it's because of the weakness of the dollar and the strength of the relative strength of the shekele. But we also have to think of the consequences of that of all the institutions in from who get dollars from America contributions. It's the value is down 20%. >> No, I get it. But I I wonder if the New York Times >> No, I meant for your this is for the listeners to understand that we have to up our contributions. >> Understood. But I wonder if the New York Times like, you know, hesitates to lord Israel for it when we see what's happening in this country, >> but not because of what's happening here. They will not lord Israel for anything virtually that that is taking place. you know, through all of this period, I'm getting calls every day from Israeli companies and stuff who who have new medical breakthroughs who are uh working on all sorts of um uh critical diseases and and afflictions and um amazing stuff that's going on in AI in Israel. And yet the only thing that you would see from the New York Times and from so much of the other talk radio is actually the the been very positive in in general. But and Bard can site the BBC reports. I mean they will find any story they will go back to family in Lebanon 22 times and spend 15 minutes of a broadcast an hour broadcast just detailing how terrible is without saying who's really responsible. Did Israel want to be there? No. Israel wanted to live in peace. they had peace with Lebanon, they would have peace with Lebanon. The talks actually in Washington yesterday went well and they were supposed to reconvene today uh again. Uh and the and the people of Lebanon. You see the interviews when they're honest. They're blaming. >> They're angry that Israel had a bomb. They don't like it. But but many of them want to have peace or at least a peaceful relationship with Israel. >> Yeah. Uh something we don't get from the mainstream media. That that picture is not painted that way. It's America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listeners sponsored digital radio around the world the web single.com on the single network and of course in the beloved NSN app. Malcolm homeline with us on this to all 59th anniversary the reunification of Jerusalem. But you know what really depressed me and you're going to you're going to think I'm nuts that this is what what to me was the most depressing part of this whole article from Kristoff. You always in a situation like this when you're making these types of accusations and you're taking a few people and you know taking whatever they say for granted and printing it as if you know they're 100% accurate etc etc etc. You always need some insider in this case some prominent inside Israeli to confirm your findings. And you know who it was this time around? You know who he quotes? >> You ready for this? >> Yes. Go right ahead. Ahood Olend you could depend on Ahood Olic like this that yeah this stuff happens and none of it surprises me. >> Yeah but but but you didn't say the other side denied that he said it. >> Oh I didn't know that >> he said it was it was he wrote a letter to the times. >> I didn't know that. >> And with whom have massive disagreements we used to work very closely when he was mayor of Jerusalem. He was very supportive and he tended as you know and trended extreme left uh more and more but he wrote and said you distorted my words deliberately and and took them on over it. >> Was that printed in the times? >> Yeah. Right. >> So the letter wasn't printed. >> I don't read the times so I can't tell you if it was printed but I I doubt very much it was printed but I do know that he sent the letter. >> Wow. That's pretty amazing. You always need that guy. I thought he was that guy but now I got to take back what I said I guess. No, you're right in the principle that they always look for somebody and we'll get them to say, you know, everybody thinks they can outsmart reporters. And I tell them, you know, they will take out of what you say whatever suits their purpose, not not necessarily the truth. >> 100%. And then, of course, the the look, the dog accusations. I mean, you know, those who are familiar with the lives of dogs, they're laughing at these things, and he's quoting them as if these stories are 100% accurate. It's it just shows you, you know, you can there's no limit to to what people are willing to accept both out of ignorance but mostly out of prejudice but they they accept all sorts of things about the United States too and about leaders and and again it's domestic extremists. It's foreign uh funds and extremists who want to undermine America and everybody will pay the price. It's not Jews are maybe the first victims were never the last. >> Right? and and to understand when you look at those young people and the people who came to this demonstration, you see sophisticated people and if they were interviewed that they would make a legitimate case for what they they don't even know what was going on inside that room to to do it and maybe you know there were there are a lot of details about why how it came about when when it came about but if you would ask them questions about it they could not answer it and they they are being manipulated but and and perhaps as I had compensated and and uh uh organized to do it. I know that in Washington at the rally I asked some of the people who came to protest and and they told me that oh no they told us to go on this bus and come here but they had a little very little real knowledge of what was the purpose they knew was against Jews against Israel but didn't care and they did violative things remember they what they did to statues and send fires and stuff >> and and the consequences are still too limited when they downgrade the charges >> and and don't hold them to fully to account. Of course, the message is that we are going to allow this. >> And the last thing on this, but you have to admit it. It's not hard to believe, no matter where you are in this globe, it's not hard to believe stories of abuse among the incarcerated. You know that it's not difficult to believe that. But >> definitely true. >> If he would have just if he would have just said, and not that I'm giving him advice about how to handle the PR on this, but if he if he would have handled, excuse me, if he would have handled this as a normal, you know, abuse among the incarcerated story, it would have been a lot even more effective and believable. Again, I'm not saying any of it's true, but you get my point. then exaggerating and going to the point where they're making up stories that that aren't even, you know, possible to happen. So, it's it's it's amazing that, you know, that they're so convinced that the audience is going to eat this up that they could say whatever they want. >> And it's the shock value. It's they know it would get very little attention otherwise. So, you need the shock value to get people to and and the more they talk about it, the more these guys like it. I mean, Chris has won two Puliter prizes. This is not just some rag tag reporter. >> By the way, I could see him getting an award for this. >> He exposed something that that they all denied. And >> I'm telling you, I could see it. Anyway, on to other stuff. So, you think that the president of United States had any influence on China regarding Iran? Um I I know that the uh when it comes to to exports and purchases, a business relationship with Iran, we're always questioning that. in terms of China. Then of course the you know where China uh is in terms of um you know whose side they're on um in the uh the Iranian quest to take over as much as possible in the Middle East. Did he make any headway on this this week? >> We don't know because much of the discussion of course remains secret. um uh you know China has one priority and that's China and they do whatever they can to protect their energy to protect their economy they you know I don't think I mean they are looking to play a much bigger global road and that's why the belt and road initiative which they do and they do much of it quietly uh but the infiltration in the United States the you know buying the farmland um their their activities on the campuses and People always say to me, well, why would they do it? Why do they care? Why would they want to promote anti-semitism? The answer is because number one, Jews are seen identified with the United States, with the West, and certainly with Israel identifying with him. Second, that they they look at where they can play role. How do they exploit it for their benefit to be able to have a role in the Middle East? And you know, most countries and the leaders I speak to in the region, they're they're afraid of China's involvement. They know that that number one, it's getting energy out of every country, but they also go in and they buy huge amounts of land they did in Africa and they take out all the food. They don't leave anything there. It's like scorchers and and African leaders would complain all the time because they would buy, you know, a huge swats of land and because they have a population to feed and they have real demographic imbalances in the Chinese population. They don't have children. they they uh their economy is is u is boyed by the fact they got rare earth m materials and other things. But I think the only answer is to to be tough and I hope that President Trump is doing that in the quiet meetings that they have and putting the markers down. I mean they have multiple agendas. He brought all these business guys to show the opportunities that are there. Uh so will I we always find out afterwards with him you know and they they will put a good front on it but the question is did he put down the markers and say that they they have to come out they they're obviously on the side of Iran have been supplying Iran during the war continue to try to send cargo boats and even replenishing some military equipment if they can neutralize that that will be an achievement as well. China is an important player and we have unfortunately limited ability to open another theater. So they want to keep the Southeast Asia up more quiet. But um but there has to be a clear message and you know president is known as a great negotiator. We'll see when we find out what the the real story was not what just what the public perception. >> A week a week ago I asked you if the war is over. Well, we asked the same question again today. Uh, are we any closer one way or the other? >> No, we we you know, Iran and the information that keeps coming out and it's coming from US official assessments, although they can be manipulated as well. Um, because there are people there with with prejudices too and it often comes out. But the the fact that they retained perhaps 70% of their missile capacity uh a huge part of their drone capacity that the underground facilities were not penetrated uh in many places and that they have even their own they developed special rubble clearing uh equipment bulldozers. So they rapidly o reopened a lot of these facilities and they obviously suffered great damage and to the economy to the to to some of their military capacity. The air force is was destroyed. The navy suffered greatly but unfortunately they retain a lot of the missile capacity and they retained the enriched uranium. They talk about you know the the dust that the president talks about. If you don't remove it, that will be and and if we don't clearly set back the nuclear program, meaning that if they want to have to develop isotopes for medicine, they can import them or there can be, you know, you you enrich to 3 to 5%. They're enriching still to weapons grade to virtual reference grade. And we we have to see whether the fighting will resume, which I think is a serious prospect. and the the Sentcom has said they need two weeks to degrade additional facilities. And remember, we did not strike a lot of the infrastructure and a lot of the places uh that would would hurt them further uh and build up more internal pressure. Uh and a lot of people always ask why there aren't more demonstrations. First of all, you don't know about the demonstrations in Iran because nobody's reporting them if they take place. But you know the events in January have intimidated people and I don't think that they see a light at the end of the tunnel right now. But revolts don't take place during the war. It happens afterwards. So I wouldn't people shouldn't be despondent and I think that the popular unrest against this regime remains strong. But you have to say that even degrading two, three, four levels of the leadership that they've been able to sustain uh and IRGC stepped in and frankly they're very extreme. >> I know you hate predictions, but if I pressed you on whether it's going to start up again in May or June, you would probably say yes. >> I would say that it's a it's a serious um concern. I think if you look at the actions of the other neighbors in the region who have been hit, you know, UAE has been hit a lot and and it's proven and even despite the dispute about whether Prime Minister Netanyahu did visit there as he said or didn't as they said. Um the fact is that they lifted the restrictions on US overflight Saudi Arabia and and Kuwait did as well that UAE never imposed them. Uh and and I hope that you we will see that relationship with between Israel and the UAE uh grow further after this is over because they came to see who their real ally is and they are dropping out of a lot of the regional groupings. They dropped out of the OPEC plus but I believe they'll also drop out of the Gulf Cooperation Council many other things uh um hopefully. Um so uh you know and also that we know that US bases got hit worse than was reported in Qatar and Kuwait and in UAE. Uh and we have uh we lost planes and and other equipment. But relatively speaking the US troops have remained uh safe, thank God, and and operating off the ships. But the straits of her moves, if we don't find a solution, if they can walk out the day after in control both domestically and and in the straits, then it becomes such a propaganda victory. It it covers over the tremendous losses, tremendous losses that they have suffered. Um, folks, we're going to get to the sounds of 1967 by the late great Mayor Weine Garden. He narrates the whole segment. We'll do it right after Rabbi Udin's presentation. Uh, Malcolm, what you were what you were referring to was that um, Israel says the prime minister made a secret trip to the UAE. The UAE says he didn't. You You have no insight into which one is is true or or which one which side is right, do you? >> Maybe they're both right. I don't know. Uh, but >> and I say this every time and you're going to call me an old guy, an old-fashioned guy for saying it. I say it every time and I don't get it. the the prime minister knows what type of public statement like this would generate. He knows the reaction would generate. Of course, the UAE is going to deny it and it's going to become a story in the news. Why can't everyone just be quiet? Why even if there is a secret visit, can't it stay a secret? I think it's one of the key questions when I ask all the time and and not only about releasing secrets and it's it's something Arab leaders raise you know that nothing long-term remains secret but it's a price of a democracy a rampant democracy in in the case of Israel that people you know feel the need or or make statements and I'm sure there had to be a reason why at that moment they he revealed it and I I'm I'm worried that the election will raise the domestic political aspects and people will play to that when when everything is so sensitive and and it's it's so important uh that we keep the focus and and any attention that is given to this debate and taking it away from the pay to slay continuing by the Palestinians the tunnels to to tell the story of the tunnels that are being uncovered still in Gaza but also in Lebanon immense ones 4 km 5 km with sleeping facilities with all sorts of things. I've got Hamas training, you know, with with in Turkey and Turkeykey's role in in all of this the the um challenges that that uh you know about the Iraqi base that Israel had. Why why did that have to become a public story now, >> right? >> And you can ask about an awful lot of uh subjects and when important things are not getting the coverage that they deserve. you know that Israel, it came out, is supplying four times the amount of food that is needed in Gaza. I didn't see anybody writing all of that up and so and and that Hamas then steals it again, takes the excess, but now it's harder for them to sell because the people are getting so much food that they they're now talking about cutting back the food because it goes to waste and and it only benefits uh the kamas and kamas's uh reassertion of of itself. Uh I I think that um you know the revelations about the PA education and you know how that this generation is being trained with the same hatred and they admit despite all their promises that they didn't change any of their textbooks. UAE did others did. They did not. And I I I just it just tells me it tells me that you know that we are um not careful how we speak and that includes our community. And I just want to target again people who go on public media and attack other Jews better think twice and three times before doing it because you have to think of the audience and the public. There may be legitimate criticism uh and and often factually they're wrong about what percentage voted for Mamanian and uh you know I hear really well-intentioned people very active say oh the second biggest problem we have is the Jews the Jews. You got to think of the audience picks this up. And those of you who know these people and hear it, make sure you tell them and it's got to stop. It's you have major personalities in the media who who are Jewish who are saying these these things. And don't think of the consequences and how many times we tell them, you know, it's it's the grandstanding of this that it's so destructive for for our community and long-term damage that's being done. >> 100%. Well, great message. uh wishing you a you always say no matter what um people might think or or advise or even hesitate to open up their mouth about the things going on in Israel after all we're not living there uh the future of Israel negotiations how it should treat its neighbors militarily etc etc etc right we could debate from today till tomorrow if any of us have a right to say anything you always remind us when it comes to Jerusalem it belongs to every Jew around the entire world. >> One word on that if I can and that is that people take the time today to read up about the amazing discoveries, the pilgrims, all the thing that are have been discovered in the last year reconfirming the Tanakh, reconfirming everything in Amasur and our in our tradition and amazing stuff literally every single day. So tonight, Friday night, speak to your kids about it. Believe me, they know nothing nothing about these discoveries and frankly you don't know anything about them. So take the time, go and read some of the stories. Look what's happening in Deb. Look what's happening at the the tunnels, the amazing discoveries that are going on and the the every single one of them confirms Tanakh. And if your kids have doubts, this is the answer. You can show them. You can show them the bedrock in the mountains. You show them a mikvah into the rock that that is exactly like the mukbas that we use today. right near the the hotel right near that people obviously went to before they went up to the besa mikdash but the the new the new discovery you can go from meilo walk all the way up under the old city you come up in in near the hotel is it's amazing can you think what your grandparents would have done to see one of those things and we take it for granted it it frustrates me so much that you don't tell these positive stories to reinforce the the message you want to talk about a real real estate fair that's the real estate It's our it's our claim to your and it's it's just so amazing and the sacrifices that so many people make working daytoday there and we should at least celebrate it so our kids can can understand why this is their yusha as well. Phenomenal and I thank you. Have a wonderful Shabas and oh and and a wonderful Shàuote and we'll speak please God in two weeks. Take care of the shabas. Malcolm Homeline weekly update, excuse me, on this yo mush. I'm here at JM in the A.M.