President Donald Trump gives his inaugural speech Friday. (photo from YouTube)
Israeli and American-Jewish leaders congratulated President Donald Trump on his swearing-in Friday, Jan. 20, as the new Republican commander-in-chief promised an “America First” agenda in his inaugural speech.
“Congrats to my friend President Trump,” Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wrote on Twitter. “Look forward to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel and the United States of America stronger than ever.”
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon also warmly welcomed Trump, saying, “A true friend of Israel will enter the White House today. Thank you, President Trump for your unequivocal support. We look forward to welcoming you to our capital of Jerusalem.”
Referring to December’s Resolution 2334, which condemned Israel’s settlement policy and passed after the Obama administration’s refusal to veto the measure, Danon said, “After the shameful resolution that was adopted by the Security Council, Israel looks forward to strengthening our most important alliance and leading together towards a new era at the UN.”
In his inaugural speech, Trump echoed many of the populist themes from his campaign, in which he promised to restore American jobs, manufacturing and prestige.
“From this moment on, it’s going to be America first, America first,” Trump said. “Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.”
Following Trump’s address, Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre delivered a benediction for the administration.
“Eternal God, bless President Donald J. Trump and America, our great nation,” Hier said. “Dispense justice for the needy and the orphan, for they have no one but their fellow citizens. A nation’s wealth is measured by its values and not its vaults.”
Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a coordinating body on international and national concerns for 52 national Jewish groups, said they “look forward to working with President Trump and his administration to deepen the historic special relationship between the U.S. and Israel, enhance the safety and security of the Jewish state and its people, and on other issues of vital importance to the American Jewish community.”
“Among these [issues] are the multiple threats posed by Iran, promoting peaceful resolutions wherever possible, standing forcefully against terrorism and its backers, and fighting antisemitism and racism,” said Stephen M. Greenberg, chair, and Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice-chair and chief executive officer, of the Conference of Presidents.
Zionist Organization of America leaders said they “appreciate our new president’s determination to eliminate the scourge of radical Islam, and his quote of one of our favourite lines from Psalm 133, often sung by the Jewish people, about dwelling together in unity.”
Trump said in his speech, “We will shine for everyone to follow. We will eradicate radical Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us, ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.’”
For more international jewish news and commentary, visit jns.org.