This is the conclusion of Rabbi Shmuel Boteach, as reported by Newsmax.com:
The spate of anti-Semitic attacks have the Jewish people living in fear now in the United States, potentially creating a society of “secret Jews” retreating to obscurity, according to Rabbi Shmuel “Shmuley” Boteach on Newsmax TV.
“The world’s oldest hatred: we were persecuted in Europe, slaughtered, annihilated, gassed to death, but in America we were protected. I can’t believe this is all happening.”
Boteach, speaking from a home nearby the recent anti-Semitic stabbing attack in Upstate New York where his family and friends were in hiding, called for federal laws that specifically mention anti-Semitism and do not water down the targeted hate under generic hate-crime terms.
“We have to stop this game,” Boteach told host Bob Sellers. “We have to call Jew hatred what it is. First thing is: Special legislation that targets anti-Semitism. You have to use the word anti-Semitism. This is not just another form of bigotry. This is not just another form of prejudice.
“This is a special hatred of the Jewish people that has to be combated, and the United States, land of the free, home of the brave, must take the lead.
Boteach said the recent attacks in and around New York City are targeting those who look and dress like orthodox Jews.
“We are the targets, and it’s very uncomfortable,” Boteach added.
“It was a religious Jew hatred, now it’s a more racial anti-Semitism. Even if we Jews converted to another religion, they still hate us. All I know is this never happened in the United States.”[2]
First, it must be stated emphatically: not a single Jew anywhere in this world should hide in fear, or live in fear.
Second, anti-Semitism has been increasing in Europe and globally for more than a decade.[3] The fact that it is increasing in the United States should not be surprising.
Third, there are a myriad of causes, some of which are understood; others not. Many Jews and non-Jews blame the policies of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He was hated by Barack Obama, the Rabins, and Ariel Sharon. Indeed, former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s widow Leah—who was described by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres as a “lioness”—believed it was the climate of hate that Netanyahu created during the election campaign of 1995, which laid the groundwork for a Jew to assassinate her husband. She never forgave Netanyahu and detested him.[4]
Fourth, the mere fact that anti-Semitism is increasing in the United States and globally is a cause of great concern. Religion in general is under attack; and Judaism is a very small religion. There are approximately 2.4 billion Christians in the world, and 1.9 followers of Islam; and the number of Jews is approximately 14.5 million, which makes it one of the smallest religions with the fewest followers.[5]
Fifth, discrimination has probably existed in one form or another since Man set foot on the Earth. It is not new; and most religious and ethnic groups have been discriminated against in the past. The fact that Jews are singled out today, even in countries that have few if any Jews, goes to the genesis of discrimination generally, of which anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are merely a part. The United States is the world’s largest melting pot; and discrimination seems to arise from that fact, instead of religious and ethnic tolerance.[6]
Sixth, as I have written previously:
Since I was a little kid growing up in West Los Angeles, I have always had friends who were Jewish. . . . They have helped me; they have loved me; they will be my friends for life; and whatever happens to Israel affects them. It does not affect me; I am not Jewish.
Israel could disappear off the face of the earth today, and it would not affect my life one iota. I could wake up tomorrow and go about my life as if it never happened—similar to the disappearance of Moldova as a nation, which is even larger. However, it might affect the lives of Jewish friends whom I love and care about.[7]
Lastly, former President Barack Obama was and is a racist and an anti-Semite, who did more than any other president to sow the seeds of racism and other divisions.[8] Perhaps Americans are witnessing the results of what he sowed.
© 2020, Timothy D. Naegele
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He and his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, specialize in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and https://naegeleblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/timothy-d.-naegele-resume-20-1-1.pdf). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com
[2] See https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/shmuel-boteach-rabbi-jewish-anti-semitism/2019/12/30/id/947802/ (“Shmuel Boteach to Newsmax TV: US Jews Now Hide in Fear”); see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuley_Boteach (“Shmuley Boteach”)
[3] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/#comment-7039 (“Is Night Falling Again For European Jews?”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/ (“Is Israel Doomed?”)
[4] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/ (“Ariel Sharon Is Missed”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/19/the-middle-east-is-not-americas-fight/ (“The Middle East Is Not America’s Fight”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/ (“The Madness Of Benjamin Netanyahu”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ (“Israel’s Senseless Killings And War With Iran”)
[5] See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religious_populations#Adherent_estimates_in_2019 (“List of religious populations: Adherent estimates in 2019”)
[6] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/06/islamophobia-is-un-american/ (“Islamophobia Is Un-American”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life/ (“America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life”)
[7] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (“Why I Write And Say What I Do”)
[8] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ (“Is Barack Obama A Racist?”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/11/15/when-will-barack-obamas-trial-for-sedition-begin/ (“When Will Barack Obama’s Trial For Sedition Begin?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/29/barack-obama-is-responsible-for-americas-tragic-racial-divide/ (“Barack Obama Is Responsible For America’s Tragic Racial Divide”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/should-barack-obama-be-executed-for-treason/ (“Should Barack Obama Be Executed For Treason?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/the-real-russian-conspiracy-barack-obama-the-clintons-and-the-sale-of-americas-uranium-to-russias-killer-putin/ (“The Real Russian Conspiracy: Barack Obama, The Clintons, And The Sale Of America’s Uranium To Russia’s Killer Putin”)
NaegeleBlog 
REDUNDANCY
Mike Huckabee said on Tucker Carlson (Fox News) the other week: ” We live in a ‘sick’ culture where every-man does what is right in his own eyes, as in the Book of Judges”. He then illustrated with examples such as someone beating upon another merely because he was wearing a red Trump hat and did not “like” it.
America has always had nuts and thus, episodes of violence are consistent with our Liberal attitudes. However, It seems the various divisions in America are becoming more aggravated in recent years. We are soft on most crime and the punishments are not severe enough to deter most criminals. Even murder only gets you “life” in-prison. I am afraid just passing another law further criminalizing violence won’t stop a crazy man or an extremist. Besides, we already have the 10 Commandments, if anyone bothers to read them anymore.
Jews need not live in constant fear over this incident. They need to take personal action and upgrade their security arrangements. First, join the NRA. The second amendment allows each individual to own firearms for self-defense. Private firearms training is available, as well. All Americans have this “inalienable” right. So, I suggest anyone who is afraid for their life hire Smith & Wesson. What’s more important: Your Money or Your Life?
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Sadly, or tragically true, Craig.
I have felt for many years that our laws, including the death penalty, are not deterrents, certainly for hardened criminals (e g., MS-13) or those who act in crimes of “passion.”
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There is an attempt to delegitimize Christianity in the West. It is being driven from all public places and centers of decision making. Values based on religious tenants are not acceptable. Morality must be based on secular values, decided by those who crave power.
The root of Christianity is Judaism. To destroy it is a key step in moving on to the task of destroying Christianity. The left has been at this for quite some time. They are taking advantage of the current state of intellectual confusion which exists in the West. Logic and rational thinking have been replaced by political jargonism and tactics. It’s almost a return to the pre-Enlightenment times.
Defending Jews and Israel has never been more important.
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Thank you, Philip, for your thoughtful and thought-provoking comments. I agree with most of what you say.
First, Christianity and Judaism are not “tied at the hip.” They parted company centuries ago. As you know, devout Jews are stlll waiting for their “Messiah.” Contrariwise, our Messiah is Jesus.
Second, most Christians believe in Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament, but many believe the Old Testament is a fable written by old Jews.
Third, as both of us have acknowledged, religion is under attack globally, and especially the Catholic Church, in no small part because it champions the protection of life from the moment of conception.
Fourth, I believe in defending Jews, for the reasons that I have stated. But the defense of Israel, right or wrong, is not necessary or required. The future of Christianity, with approximately 2.4 billion adherents in the world, does not turn on the fate of Israel or Judaism, with approximately 14.5 million in the world.
Lastly, I believe strongly that we should be out of the Middle East. As the largest energy producer in the world once again, we do not need the region for anything. Also, we are not the world’s policeman.
If the countries, religious and ethnic groups of the region want to fight it out, so be it. When it is all over, we can see who is still standing. Until then, we should be selling our energy products to Europe—undercutting Russia’s killer Putin—and to China, which desperately needs our energy products.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/19/the-middle-east-is-not-americas-fight/ (“The Middle East Is Not America’s Fight”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/the-death-of-putin-and-russia-the-final-chapter-of-the-cold-war/ (“The Death Of Putin And Russia: The Final Chapter Of The Cold War”)
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Protesters Outside US Embassy In Lebanon Decry Trump Peace Plan [UPDATED]
This is effectively the title of an article that appeared in the UK’s Daily Mail.
See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7957939/Protesters-outside-US-Embassy-Lebanon-decry-Trump-plan.html (“‘Death to America! Death to Israel!’ Hundreds of Palestinians and Lebanese denounce Trump’s Middle East peace plan outside US embassy in Beirut while demonstrators clash with Israeli soldiers in Ramallah and Hebron”)
If instead of being Christians or Jews, many of us were followers of Islam, we would probably be enraged too. Indeed, J Street’s Jeremy Ben-Ami wrote presciently years ago:
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/#comment-14807 (“An Eloquent Voice Of Enlightenment“); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/#comment-16049 (“A Voice Of Reason In A Sea Of Hate And Madness“) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-1825 (“Jeremy Ben-Ami, ‘A New Voice For Israel’—A Wonderful Book That Should Be Read By Anyone Who Cares About And Wants To Understand Israel’s Past, Present And Future“)
I believe there is a direct correlation between the treatment of the Palestinians, and the growth of anti-Semitism globally. Perhaps in the years to come, studies will confirm this.
What happens in Israel reverberates globally (e.g., the BDS movement; American college campus anger at Jews; global hatred of Jews). This is among the many reasons why Netanyahu was so wrong for Israel from Day One.
Yitzhak Rabin’s widow Leah was prescient, in that she saw “only doom for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process” with Netanyahu at Israel’s helm.
His reign has been disastrous for Jews globally, but many well-intentioned Jews in the United States, Israel and elsewhere are “Israel-centric,” and ignore the global ramifications. . . and yes, reality.
See, e.g., https://www.timesofisrael.com/toi-debate-are-trump-bibi-securing-or-ruining-the-us-israel-relationship/ (“LISTEN: Are Trump, Bibi securing or ruining the US-Israel relationship?“) and https://yucommentator.org/2020/02/rescuing-the-world-zionist-organization/ (“Rescuing the World Zionist Organization“)
As I have written:
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/#comment-7220 (“The Green Line Between Israel And The Palestinian Territory“); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/#comment-7039 (“Is Night Falling Again For European Jews?“)
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THE GREAT EXCEPTION
Traditionally, there was no Palestinian Nation on the West Bank. Look at the ancient outline of the Land of Canaan that was conquered and occupied by the forefathers of today’s Israeli Jews (Abraham). Only after the Roman destruction of the Temple in A.D. 75 by Titus and the diaspora was the Holy Land open for occupation. However, The Lord is Good, and Israel officially became a sovereign state in 1948, setting in-motion competing claims to the Holy Land by its former occupiers ( Ottoman Empire, Palestinians, etc.). The Years in the Wilderness had forever ended for the Jews. There will never be another Masada.
My point is Palestine was NEVER Arab Land to begin with. It was never their land to begin with. The sands of time erased the memory of ancient Israel and Judah for over 2,000 years. Nations come and nations go but rarely does a nation get destroyed and then recreated anew. Israel is that (one) exception to history.
So, its a matter of birthright, not politics, personality, or man. The fact there is so much fighting in the Middle East is a sign of the times ( as in “End Times”). The clock seems to be moving pretty fast behind the scenes as America continues its decline after peaking years ago. Like Rome, the U.S. won’t
fall in a day, as a nation’s decline is a process not an event or a personality. I am afraid President Trump is just a blip in a very long downtrend.
Let me correct myself: The United States economy peaked in or around 1971 around the time President Nixon took America off the International Gold Standard and instituted a new system of floating exchange rates soon thereafter (FX Market). Take a look at history: LBJ, Vietnam War Lost, Removal of the Gold Standard backing the U.S. Dollar, Arab Oil Embargo, 1973-1974 Recession and Bear Market, Double Digit Inflation, Iranian Revolution, and lastly, two back-to-back recessions in the early eighties. We nearly had a full blown financial collapse in 1980. It was very close.
I predict friction and conflicts between Israel and the rest of the Middle East Region intensify in future years, regardless of who the Israeli Political Leadership is. It won’t be constant, but will ebb and flow. It bares mentioning that President Netanyahu is actually a Globalist in the image of Henry Kissinger. Fact is, a great many globalists are Jews but not all Jews are Globalists. In addition, most American Jews are politically Liberal and Democrats.
So, equating American Jews and European Jews ( Ashkenazi Jews ) with Israeli Jews is a big mistake partly born of ignorance, not necessarily antisemitism. There is quite a difference. Gentiles are ignorant about the History of the Jews ( Old Testimate). The Middle East and modern day “Palestine” have a long and nuanced history. In contrast, we have barely been a sovereign nation for just the past 250 years. America remains the exception in a world where democracies have a rather short lifespan if they exist at all. We should remember that and count our blessings.
. . .
Numbers 24:9 Good News Translation (GNT)
“The nation is like a mighty lion;
When it is sleeping, no one dares wake it.
Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed,
And whoever curses Israel will be cursed.”
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Thank you, Craig, for your comments.
First, with respect to the last quote and your historical references—and with all due respect—we are talking about today, and not 2,000 years ago. And we are talking about “real world” Jews who are under assault globally. And we are not talking about “myths” written by old Jews.
Needless to say, God did not save approximately 6 million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust; and no one is protecting Jews globally who are being subjected to anti-Semitism today. They are scattered around the globe, defenseless.
Second, Israel may be destroyed again, never to rise again, although I hope that does not happen.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/ (“Is Israel Doomed?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (“Why I Write And Say What I Do”)
Third, if you listened to President Trump’s State of the Union speech tonight, you heard one filled with optimism about our great nation and all Americans. He is not a “blip” as you contend, as long as the forces of darkness (e.g., the far-Left, the Democrats, and so-called “progressives”) are defeated if not destroyed, like Lincoln destroyed similar forces and changed the trajectory of American history.
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See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9972835/Fears-ISIS-K-drive-Jew-Afghanistan.html (“The last Jew is driven out of Afghanistan: 62-year-old flees over fears that the ISIS-K will kill him after Taliban takeover”)
This is the latest event in the unfolding tragedy that is the collapse of Afghanistan.
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See https://www.wnd.com/2021/10/conference-considers-jews-not-killed/ (“Conference considers which Jews ‘should and should not be killed'”)
Ominous?
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See https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-set-to-okay-3000-new-settlement-homes-1300-palestinian-homes/ (“Israel set to okay 3,000 new settlement homes, 1,300 Palestinian homes”) and https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-approve-1-5-billion-budget-for-potential-strike-on-iran/ (“Israel said to approve $1.5 billion budget for potential strike on Iran”)
It should not surprise anyone why Israel is hated globally, and why anti-Semitism grew dramatically under the reign of Benjamin Netanyahu. Years ago, he morphed into his ancestors’ Nazi oppressors.
He was hated by Ariel Sharon and the Rabins; and Leah Rabin blamed him for her husband’s tragic assassination. The present regime in Israel seems to be Netanyahu 2.0. And innocent Jews will continue to suffer globally because of its actions.
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IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE LOW-DOWN (Big Picture) then Listen to A Rabbi, as He Should Know about Jewish Subject matter. ( Rabbi means Teacher). Most recently, an addendum to his second book concerning “Harbingers”. It would be wise to take his interpretation into consideration.
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Thank you, Craig.
I have watched the video, and agree that we have been living in God-less times, when Americans in particular have turned away from God.
I have made my views clear about God before, and I understand why this has happened.
See
https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ (“What And Where Is God?”)
The Coronavirus pandemic was unleashed by China and its God-less Communist rulers; and we continue to pay a heavy price for that.
While the Rabbi articulates his concerns about the survival of the United States, he should be equally concerned about the possible destruction of Israel.
America has been defeated by the Taliban in Afghanistan, but equally important is the sophisticated American weaponry that it has obtained. Also, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal remains vulnerable.
My sense is that Israel’s IDF, Mossad and its vaulted-but-penetrable Iron Dome will not protect it. And yes, Israel may be target number one for its newly-empowered enemies, for both strategic and psychological reasons.
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SEE IT COMING ?
Well, the last time the Arab World tried to destroy Israel was the much vaulted 7-day war (June War ) in the sixties. Egypt, Syria, and Jordan’s tanks and aircraft were toast by the 6th day. My guess is the next aggressor against Israel will be added to those previously annihilated near the Sea of Lot ( Dead Sea) : Sodom and Gomorrah.
In fact, Israel is reportedly busy acquiring weapons sufficient to destroy underground Iranian Nuclear Development Facilities. The build-up to the next War in the Middle East is probably already underway. Better Get ready for $150/barrel oil? My guess is they won’t bother to call President Biden until after the airstrike is launched against Iran. Israel does not require our permission or concurrence. They know they are on their own.
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Thank you again, Craig.
Clearly, they are on their own. Barack Obama had no use for Netanyahu, while Netanyahu was hated by Sharon and the Rabins.
The Biden-Harris administration may not be Obama 2.0, but it is close. Many key officials served in the Obama administration, or advised it.
Second, I do not view Iran as Israel’s principal enemy. Quite to the contrary, if Israel is destroyed, the strike/strikes are likely to come from others (e.g., the Taliban, ISIS, terrorist groups). And many may claim the “victory.”
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Will The War In Ukraine Escalate Beyond America’s And The West’s Best Interests, Just like Our Aid To Israel?
See https://wp.me/p3hGdf-Fz8 (“Putin’s ‘Winter War’ on Ukraine”)
Former presidential advisor Pat Buchanan argues that Ukraine is our surrogate to defeat Vladimir Putin and Russia; and implicitly, the same arguments apply to American aid to Israel and the Netanyahu regime.
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Netanyahu Is The Curse Of Jews Everywhere
See, e.g., https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triad/ap-top-news/2022/12/28/netanyahu-government-west-bank-settlements-top-priority?cid (“Netanyahu government: West Bank settlements top priority”) and https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/12/29/israels-new-government-is-the-most-right-wing-ever (“Israel’s new government is the most right-wing ever”)
Years ago, he morphed into his ancestors’ Nazi oppressors. Innocent Jews beyond the borders of Israel and the USA are feeling the effects of his ongoing atrocities, which never end.
He must be tried by the International Criminal Court, in a Nuremberg-like setting, and receive the harshest punishment for his many crimes.
Is the apartheid Israel’s raison d’etre long gone?
It seems that anti-Semitism is alive and well, on a global basis, albeit the Leftist media won’t acknowledge it.
See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fabelmans (“the worst financial performance ever for a Spielberg film”)
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No One Should Be The Least Bit Surprised By The Rise Of Anti-Semitism Globally
See, e.g., https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sacred-jerusalem-site-becomes-a-flashpoint-with-israels-rightward-shift-11673451714 (“A Sacred Jerusalem Site Becomes a Flashpoint With Israel’s Rightward Shift”)
There is zero doubt that Israel is an Apartheid state, which lost its reason d’etre decades ago. The re-emergence of Netanyahu as the tiny state’s leader underscores that fact.
At a minimum, he should be imprisoned for his many crimes. Tragically, innocent Jews globally — who live outside of Israel and the USA – will suffer the most. But Netanyahu and his fascists do not care.
He was hated by Ariel Sharon and the “Lioness” Leah Rabin, who blamed Netanyahu for her husband’s tragic assassination. She believed that peace was impossible with Netanyahu at Israel’s helm; and she was prescient.
He morphed in his ancestors’ Nazi oppressors years ago; and his re-emergence as Israel’s leader ushers in more tragedies in Israel and elsewhere.
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Netanyahu Is Demonic
See, e.g., https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/14/world/tel-aviv-protest-netanyahu/index.html (“Netanyahu: More than 80,000 turn out for Tel Aviv protest against Netanyahu government”) and https://m.jpost.com/opinion/article-728563 (“A clear and present apocalypse has hit Israel”)
This is being recognized globally. Years ago, he morphed into his ancestors’ Nazi oppressors.
Like the butcher Vladimir Putin, his days will end.
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