By Ted Belman ——Bio and Archives--May 18, 2017
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“The book identifies the main enemy to Islam’s ideological encouragement of supremacism, violence, and expansionism, describes Iran as a ‘linchpin” of a loose anti-American alliance of Russia, Islam, China, and North Korea, and calls for a diplomatic effort to flip Russia against Iran and radical Islam. When dealing with Islamic militants, he writes, ”[w]e’ve got to stop feeling the slightest bit guilty about calling them by name and identifying them as fanatical killers acting on behalf of a failed civilization.”Even though Flynn was asked to resign in February, Trump is following his prescription to a “T”. Dr. Sebastian Gorka, another Trump adviser, in an interview by Jerry Gordon and Mike Bates, on Mar 4/17 said,
“The political and theological underpinnings of their immoral actions have to be demolished.”Once in office, Trump appointed Nikki Haley as the US Ambassador to the UN instructing her to demand the UN stop treating Israel unfairly. So far she has done a great job with her assigned task.
“(Trump) will address the leaders of 50 Muslim countries including the Gulf States ‘on the need to confront radical ideology and the president’s hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam across the globe. The speech is intended to unite the broader Muslim world against common enemies of all civilizations and to demonstrate America’s commitment to our Muslim partners. … (Trump will) participate in the inauguration of a new Center intended to fight radicalism and to promote moderation. By establishing and operating this center our Muslim friends including Saudi Arabia are taking a firm stand against extremism and those who use a perverted interpretation of religion to advance their criminal and political agendas.”Accordingly, Trump remains committed to defeating the radical Islamist ideology and is requiring the Arab states join him and to reject the ideology. His demands on the Arab states are reminiscent of Pres Bush’s speech shortly after 9/11 in which Bush said to these countries “Either you are with us or you are against us.” But unlike Bush, Trump will follow through. In 2009, Pres Obama made his first foreign trip to Egypt to deliver a ground-breaking speech to the Muslim Brotherhood, in particular, and to the Muslim world, in general. After describing the problem thusly,
“Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.”,He thereby chose to identify the enemies as “violent extremists” whereas, Trump in his speech will unapologetically identify the enemy as” radical Islamists”.
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“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”Trump, on the other hand will demand that the Muslim world, including the Arab states, reject the radical interpretation of Islam and those who follow it. Obama’s “new beginning” involved embracing the Muslim Brotherhood, which is designated a terrorist organization by many countries, and embracing Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism. Trump, on the other hand is making the US friendship with the Muslim world contingent on it rejecting the terrorist ideology. His upcoming speech will truly herald a new beginning. Already he is meeting with success. The Gulf states have compiled a proposal to take steps toward normalization with Israel if the Netanyahu government in turn makes gestures to the Palestinians, such as freezing settlement construction in parts of the West Bank and easing trade restrictions in the Gaza Strip. Their offer will be rejected by both Trump and PM Netanyahu. According to an Arab intelligence officer, Trump will be demanding that the Arab leaders normalize with Israel without preconditions. If the Arabs want to be friends with the US, they must first be friends with Israel. Secondly, he will look for an alternative solution if he can’t broker a deal. Prior to Abbas being hosted in the White House in early May, Trump pushed Abbas to end the payments to convicted terrorists and their families. We don’t know how this is being resolved but we do know that Sens. Lindsey Graham, and Mark Kirk, are seeking to cut US assistance to the PA by the amount paid to prisoners in Israeli custody and their families, according to an amendment to the Senate spending bill for State and Foreign Operations. US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, arrived in Israel on Monday and in an interview reiterated certain positions and attitudes that Trump embraces,
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Ted Belman is a retired lawyer and Editor of Israpundit.org. He made aliyah from Canada in 2009 and now lives in Jerusalem.