Wednesday, May 17, 2017

KOTEL COMMENT


Dear Mr. President,
As a supporter the following has me greatly concerned


“Q    Wait, can I just get one more?  Something that General McMaster declined to answer on two occasions from behind that podium that's causing some unhappiness on the Hill, the refusal to say whether the Western Wall is in Israel or not.  Can you explain why you guys can't answer that question?

MR. SPICER:  The Western Wall is obviously one of the holiest sites in Jewish faith.  It’s clearly in Jerusalem.  But there’s been -- it’s an issues that's had serious consideration. It will be a topic that's going to be discussed during the President’s trip between the parties that he meets with.

But obviously I think this stems from a comment that was made yesterday and which was not the policy of the United States. And so I think just because -- so just to be clear about what was said yesterday.  “ (White Press Briefing May 16, 2017)


True, acknowledging the Western Wall, Kotel is located in Jerusalem and is a Jewish holy site is far more positive than many if not most governments’ policies on the matter. Mr. Spicer did somewhat disavow an earlier comment denying Israel’s sovereignty over Judaism’s holiest site in the Temple’s absence.


Had this word dance taken place during any other administration the statement denying the Kotel’s status would be hardly worth notice, same old, same old. However, in contrast to the overt animus for Prime Minister Netanyahu by President Obama and the on-going support for Anti –Israel/Anti Zionist/Anti Semitism by the Democratic Party, President Trump promised a new chapter.


Indeed UN Ambassador Haly said in an interview with CBN “The Western Wall is part of Israel and I think that is how we have always seen it and that is how we should pursue it,”  Although the Administration after taking office has evidently placed moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem on a back burner equivocation as to where the Kotel is located is as disappointing as it is unacceptable.

Those of us who supported you last year expect better from you Mr. President, do not disappoint us.
Wishing you and the United States the greatest success
Bernard S.Antin Esq.