Edited by: Fern Sidman
Israel is a modern-day “miracle” and its relationship with the United States is deep-seated and multi-dimensional, said former President Donald Trump on Sunday evening at the Zionist Organization of America’s 2022 Gala in New York City, JNS reported. The gala which was held at Chelsea Piers on Manhattan’s west side attracted a predominantly Jewish and pro-Israel audience, During his address, Trump said, “The United States and Israel are not just allies on a military basis, but economically and politically; we’re allies morally, culturally and spiritually and we always will be—at least if I have anything to do about it.”
Former President Donald Trump received an enthusiastic reception at the ZOA gala dinner in NYC on Sunday evening. #DonaldTrump @ZOA_National @Israel @CarolineGlick @joelpollak @RitaCosby @AmirOhana @amiravivi1974 @joelgriffith @GreenblattJD @GOPLeader @OdedRaviv pic.twitter.com/uiiGHftp7d
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 14, 2022
The former president delivered his remarks after being honored with the organization’s Theodor Herzl Gold Medallion, according to the JNS report.
Founded in 1897, the Zionist Organization of America played a key role in the Jewish state’s re-establishment, and today is a leading American Jewish organization dedicated to defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of anti-Semitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people’s lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands.
JNS reported that notable attendees among the 700 guests on Sunday night included the Trump administration’s chief Middle East peace negotiator Jason Greenblatt, who was honored with the Dr. Bob Shillman Outstanding Diplomacy Award, Israeli parliamentarians Amir Ohana (Likud) of the Ministry of Justice, Israeli General Amir Avivi who received the Myron Zimmerman Security of Israel Award and Joseph Lubeck, Esq who received the Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award.
Former President Donald Trump greeting people at the ZOA gala event at Pier 60 in NYC – #DonaldTrump @ZOA_National @IsraelNewsNow #pier60 #NYC pic.twitter.com/ImWglV2r4w
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 14, 2022
Appearing by video, Dr. Miriam Adelson, (the widow of philanthropist and ardent Trump supporter Sheldon Adelson), presented the ZOA’s Defender of Israel Award to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The award was named after her and her late husband, JNS reported.
JTA reported that during her speech, Adelson addressed Trump and asked,“Who knows what added miracles you have up your sleeve? What we do know is that like Herzl, your name adorns Zionist history — a history still being written and in which you will no doubt continue to play an epic role.”
Adelson did not mention that she has pledged to stay neutral in the 2024 presidential primary.
ZOA National President Morton Klein noted that the Herzl prize, in particular, had been granted sparingly by the organization, as was reported by JNS. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the ZOA and past recipients of the auspicious Herzl prize include Lord Arthur Balfour, former British prime minister Winston Churchill, former president Harry Truman and former Israeli prime minister David Ben-Gurion.
“As president, I was proud to be the best friend … the State of Israel has ever had in the White House. Under my leadership, the alliance between the United States and Israel had never been stronger, and the future of the Middle East had never looked brighter,” said Trump at the event, prior to highlighting his record on Iran, as was reported by JNS.
Former President Donald Trump taking the podium at the ZOA Gala on Sunday evening. He told the 700 guests that modern day Israel is a “miracle”#DonaldTrump @ZOA_National @Israel @CarolineGlick @joelpollak @amiravivi1974 @AmirOhana @joelgriffith @GreenblattJD @GOPLeader pic.twitter.com/CqjLTl2q2B
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 14, 2022
“Very quickly, I withdrew from the disastrous Iran nuclear deal, which actually I think may be the single most important thing … and I imposed the toughest-ever sanctions on the Iranian regime. … Now, President Joe Biden has been groveling to the Iranian dictatorship to re-enter the agreement,” Trump added.
JNS reported that the ZOA cited as additional reasons for bestowing the award on the nation’s 45th president was the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017, and the move the following May of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish nation, as well as the brokering of the historic Abraham Accords which normalized the Jewish state’s relations with several Arab countries; the recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights; and the downgrading of relations with the Palestinians, including cutting funding to Ramallah.
ZOA Chairman Mort Klein Introducing former President Donald J Trump to those attending the gala at Pier 60 in NYC. #DonaldTrump #MortKlein @ZOA_National #pier60 #nyc pic.twitter.com/zMYAOnDh9p
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 14, 2022
“Israel does not occupy sovereign Arab land,” ZOA head Klein declared in his address, adding that ongoing Palestinian terrorism was geared towards extinguishing Israel’s existence, JNS reported.
“We have to make it clear that Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas is a monster terrorist and not a peacemaker. That is why Israeli offers of land have failed every time, “ Klein intoned.
“The Torah promises that Israel is the Jewish homeland, and will always be the Jewish homeland,” Klein said, as was reported by JTA. “Unlike politicians, except President Trump, God keeps his promises.”
“This is our homeland,” Klein continued, JNS reported. “Let us never forget it. We, the people of Eretz Yisrael, will prevail.”
JNS also reported that Klein added that the Biden administration was acting hypocritically by implicitly condemning the “extremism” of Religious Zionism leaders Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, yet failing to denounce Abbas’s promotion of terrorism against Israelis.
Meanwhile, Trump suggested that some American Jews were not supportive enough of Israel, as was reported by JNS.
“There are people in this country that happen to be Jewish who are not doing the right thing for Israel. … As you know, the Democrats get 75% of the Jewish vote, which is hard to believe. We can’t let that continue. We see all of the horrible things that have taken place with Biden and former president Barack Hussein Obama, and then they get 75% of the Jewish vote. What the hell is going on?” Trump queried.
ZOA National Chairman Mort Klein addresses gathering honoring former President Donald Trump. @ZOA_National #MortKlein #DonaldTrump @IsraelNewsNow #ZevJabotinsky pic.twitter.com/sJlwEJNzuQ
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 14, 2022
Indeed, Trump emphasized the uniqueness of the Jewish state, calling it “a very, very special place, it’s an amazing place, it’s really a miracle,” according to the JNS report.
But, he cautioned, “it’s very delicate and you have to be very careful with it because really bad things can happen, and so I just say I’m with you all the way.”
JNS reported that Trump is expected to announce a 2024 presidential run as early as Tuesday.
