Values of American and Israelis and How They Differ Through Trump's Deal

 Nadene Goldfoot                                             

USA's Jewish newspaper:  In celebration of the Forward’s quasquicentennial year — that’s fancy talk for 125th anniversary — we decided to take a walk back through history. Instead of compiling our annual Forward 50 list of influential American Jews, we created the Forward 125, with one entry for each year of our existence. Starting, of course, with the man who made our lists possible: Ab Cahan, the visionary founding editor who launched the Forward in 1897 with a 50-person collective, declaring: “Let’s publish a good, popular newspaper, content-rich and interesting.”

Jewish people make up approximately 2.4% of the adult population in the United States, which equates to roughly 7.5 million people when including children. The US is home to one of the largest Jewish populations globally.

There are approximately 7.6 million Jewish people in the U.S. Among adults who identify with a specific denomination, the breakdown is: Reform (37%), Conservative (17%), and Orthodox (9%). The remainder (roughly one-third) are nondenominational or identify as "just Jewish". As you see, the largest segment are Reform Jews, Jews mostly belonging, I'd say, to the Democratic Party. 

 Israel is a diverse nation of roughly 9.8 million people. It is primarily a Jewish state, making up about 73-74% of the population, while Arabs (who are mainly Muslim, but also include Christian and Druze communities) make up about 21%. The remaining percentage includes various other minority groups and non-Arab/non-Jewish residents. Secular (Hiloni): Roughly 40% to 50% of Israeli Jews identify as secular. While they may observe certain cultural traditions, they generally do not strictly follow Orthodox religious law. Traditional (Masorti): About 23% to 30% identify as traditional. They occupy a broad middle ground between strictly Orthodox and entirely secular, observing many religious practices but having varying levels of strictness. The Conservative religious movement exists in Israel, but it is much smaller. The vast majority of Israeli Jews identify either as secular (Hiloni), traditional (Masorti), or Orthodox (Datim/Haredim).  Modern Orthodox / Religious Zionist (Dati): About 10% to 15% fall into this category. They blend observant, Orthodox lifestyles with active participation in modern life and the military/workforce. Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi): About 10% to 13% of the Jewish population belong to the ultra-Orthodox community. They lead strictly religious lifestyles, often residing in dedicated communities like Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, and prioritize intense study of the Torah. 

We learn that there aren't many Jews in the USA at all, but  many of the outspoken leaders happen to be Jewish. We're only 2.4% of the USA people.  It's interesting, though, that there aren't any Jewish ladies at the View's table, which tries to have both Democrats and Republicans. Barbara Walters, Jewish, was on from 1997 to 2014, and Michelle Collins from 2015 too 2016, but none that I know of recently.  

Looking at this demographics, it's understandable that the American public as a whole are neither aware or interested in Israel's problems.  They are engrossed in their rising gas prices, the fact that the USA keeps talking about "the war" when they were promised none of that, soccer games, coming elections, and Trump's 80th birthday party.   At this point in time, he is still planning on running for another term though illegal to USA rules.  Who bothers so far to follow rules, anyway!    

Jews of Israel worry about one thing;  Security;  because their security has been threatened by Iran whose goal is to wipe Israel off the maps.   

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 11, 2026. Daniel Heuer | Reuters

This all shows up for me to understand by TRUMP'S DEAL signed Monday, June 15th by Trump and Vance:   " President Trump has said the text of his agreement to end the Iran war won’t be released until it’s signed in person by Washington and Tehran on Friday,"  then Sunday night, the 14th. aid.

It consists, they say, of one page and a half leaving the central issues involving Iran in the lives of the USA and Israel  unresolved !!!

      August 11, 2025 after a shouting match:  Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu have shouting match over photos of starvation of Palestinians  in Gaza with explanation of food there-terrorists taking it.

Here, Trump had recently commented that Israel was the perfect ally, and then he f...king yells at Netanyahu in a terrible put-down way in front of Israel's new friends in the Middle East which is a terrible move for Israel.  

His  great DEAL gives lots of money back to Iran. "We know what they will do with that;  procure more arms for the terrorists.   He calls for a cease fire, meaning Israel putting an end to their defensive warfare shooting back at their attacker.  This deal contradicts the original deal made by Obama and Biden.  He can get away with this because Israel is unimportant to his constituents, except for a minority of religious American Christians.   Actually, Polls indicate that roughly eight-in-ten Americans are at least somewhat concerned about key events and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. However, only about 30% to 50% of U.S. adults report being deeply engaged or "extremely" or "very" concerned about the unfolding events.   So that's where Israelis stand.  

The reported 1.5-page memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran serves as a framework to negotiate an end to the Gulf war, featuring a 60-day ceasefire and measures to secure the Strait of Hormuz. It reportedly outlines a verifiable long-term nuclear commitment from Iran in exchange for significant sanctions relief and a potential $300 billion reconstruction fund. Read the full details at Fox 59.

Resource:

ILTV-Wednesday 6/17/26

https://www.hadassah.org/18women

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/14/us-iran-war-peace-deal.html

https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/15/world/live-news/iran-war-g7-summit

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5927787-trump-iran-agreement-details/

War Of Independence: 1947-1949 Iran Crashing Into To 2023

 Nadene Goldfoot                                            

                   June 15, 2026 — Trump and Vance virtually sign US-Iran agreement

Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan al-Sinwar 16 September 1975 – 13 May 2025) age 50,  was a Palestinian militant who became the third Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, following the killing of his brother, Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. He also served as the seventh commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades since November 2024. He held both positions until he was killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in May 2025.

                A mother and child in the newly established refugee camp, 1948

"Born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, Sinwar spent several years in Israeli and Palestinian Authority jails in the 1990s and became the leader of Hamas's Khan Yunis Brigade in 2005. Israel attempted to assassinate him several times prior to killing him in May 2025."  

"The Yishuv, backed by the Zionist movement, fought a War of Independence beginning the day after the UN decision, when the Arabs of Palestine responded with anger and violence. The war did not end until early 1949."

War of Independence Of Israel 1947-1949 

"Shortly after the General Assembly voted on November 29, 1947, to establish Jewish and Arab states in Palestine, Chaim Weizmann declared that states are not given to peoples on a silver platter—and that the Jews would have to fight to establish theirs."

The plan was adopted with 33 votes in favor, 13 against, and 10 abstentions (70 Years after UN Resolution 181: An Assessment.) Specifically, the assembly voted for:

• A Jewish State: Allocated roughly 56% of the land (Framing the Partition Plan for Palestine – The Cairo Review of )....
• An Arab State: Allocated roughly 44% of the land (Framing the Partition Plan for Palestine – The Cairo Review of )....

     The Arabs did not accept THE PLAN.  The Jews did.  

No, the planned Arab state did not materialize alongside the Jewish state.( History of the Question of Palestine - the United Nations.) While (History of the Question of Palestine) - the United Nations Jewish leaders accepted the UN partition, Arab leaders and neighboring Arab nations rejected the plan, arguing it was fundamentally unfair to the Arab majority living in Palestine (United Nations Resolution 181 | Palestine, History, Partition ..., Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 - History State Gov.) 

The British Mandate ended in May 1948, (the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine - Wikipedia-)

State of Israel was proclaimed (U.N. votes for partition of Palestine | November 29, 1947). 

Immediately following this, surrounding Arab nations invaded, sparking the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. (United Nations Resolution 181 | Palestine, History, Partition ..., History of the Question of Palestine - the United Nations). 

When the war concluded, the territory designated for the Arab state was instead divided and controlled by Egypt and Jordan, and a separate Arab-Palestinian state was never established. (History of the Question of Palestine - the United Nations.)

 "While UNRWA states that there were approximately 95,550 Palestinian refugees living in the camp in 2023, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics recorded a population of 41,182 in the 2017 census." We find that the Palestinians always increase numbers. The camp was built after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, accommodating roughly 35,000 Palestinian refugees, who left their homes due to  Israelis entering the area.  

Palestinians from areas that became Israel fled because their leaders advised them to do it during the 1948 war,    Most refugees in the Khan Yunis camp originated from nearby southern coastal villages and towns like Beersheba and al-Majdal.  Israeli Perspective: Mainstream Israeli historians have traditionally maintained that many Palestinians left voluntarily, acting on assurances of a prompt return by Arab leadership. However, Israeli policy did decide not to allow the mass return of refugees after the war.  

The Gaza Strip was flooded with hundreds of thousands of refugees who were pushed south. Many local families initially hosted the displaced, but as time passed and the United Nations and Israel did not allow them to return to their original properties, camps like the one in Khan Yunis were established to house the vast stateless population.

"On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a mass attack on Israel, sending hundreds of fighters and launching a rocket barrage across the border into Israeli towns and military bases. The resulting war has lasted over two years, with Hamas and allied groups launching thousands of rockets and projectiles towards Israel, and the demise of more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza and surrounding areas."

"May 2025: On May 13, Israel launches an airstrike on a hospital in Khan Younis, reportedly killing Muhammad Sinwar. Neither Israel nor Hamas immediately confirm Sinwar’s death. At least 70 people are reportedly killed in the airstrikes on Khan Younis and around northern and southern Gaza." 

"On May 21, Netanyahu declares that Sinwar is likely dead. 

On May 28, Netanyahu announces that Sinwar had been killed in the strike earlier that month."

Yahya Sinwar’s death did not stop the fighting. Instead, the conflict evolved into a broader regional war involving Hezbollah and Iran. While Israel continues Gaza operations, the primary focus has expanded to an intense military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.                                   

The only three Supreme Leaders in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who have held the highest religious and political authority, are Ruhollah Khomeini, Ali Khamenei, and Mojtaba Khamenei.  Mojtaaba is the son of Ali Khamenei. They are Shi'as.  Sunni and Shia are the two main branches of Islam. The divide began in 632 CE over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis favored elected leadership, while Shias believed leadership belonged exclusively to Muhammad's family and descendants, and they are tne ones trying to kill off all Jews;  thus Israel as well.  " Anti-Zionism vs. Judaism: Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian regime has adopted aggressive anti-Zionist ideologies. State-sanctioned rhetoric often conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism, frequently framing Jewish people and the State of Israel as historical and imperialistic threats to Islam. "Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the theocratic government of Iran has explicitly called for the destruction of the State of Israel. This faction employs specific rhetoric and actions to advance its agenda:  This includes:  The "Axis of Resistance": Iran funds, arms, and commands a network of non-state militant groups across the Middle East to encircle Israel. This includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various militias in Iraq and Syria. Weaponization of Antisemitism: While the regime frequently claims its issue is strictly with "Zionism" rather than Jewish people, its state media and allied groups heavily spread classical antisemitic tropes, conspiracy theories, and Holocaust denial. For example, Houthi education and media frequently portray Jewish people as historically treacherous.  Eschatological Beliefs: Certain hardline factions within the Iranian clerical establishment frame the destruction of Israel as a religious necessity. They teach that vanquishing the Jewish state is required to spark the chaotic end-times scenario that will prompt the return of the Mahdi (the Hidden Imam).  They will do ANYTHING!!!!! They lie to achieve their goal.  Need I say more?  Is Trump under their spell? 

Mojtaba was injured in the airstrike that killed his father, and his appointment was followed by a prolonged absence from public view, causing confusion over his fate.

In political ideology and jurisprudence, Khamenei is considered to be more hardline than his father and has close ties to some of the "most ideologically extremist clerics" according to a report from (the Atlantic Council, a pro-NATO think tank).

All along it has been Iran supplying arms to Hamas and now Hezbollah of Lebanon to wipe out Israel thanks to these Ayatollas who are the Supreme Leaders of Iran, not the presidents.  Yes, Iran has supplied Hamas with weapons, financing, and tactical training for decades. While many weapons are manufactured locally by Hamas in Gaza, Iran provides the necessary technology, parts, and logistical support to assemble them.  

Resource:

https://www.counterextremism.com/threat/hamas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Sinwar

https://ideas.tikvah.org/podcasts/building-the-impossible-dream-the-history-of-zionism/episode/israel-s-war-of-independence-1947-1949

Attack and Win On Jewish High Holiday of Yom Kippur By Egypt: 1973

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                 

Speaking of wins;  Trump and his Deal with Iran, a basketball game in USA after 53 years of the Nix (New York) not winning;  This is what happened to Israelis after the winning the War in 1973, the same year of the basketball game in the States.:  

When the 1973 Yom Kippur War concluded, the Israeli public reaction was not one of celebratory triumph, but rather a profound mixture of relief, national trauma, and deep introspection. Despite eventually turning the tide to achieve a decisive military comeback, the overwhelming sentiment among Israelis was shaped by the devastating casualties and the shock of being caught completely unprepared.  Because the war began with a massive, coordinated surprise attack on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, citizens initially feared an existential threat to the state. When the fighting stopped, the sheer scale of the losses—roughly 2,650 Israeli soldiers killed—cast a heavy shadow over the country. 

 The stunning early setbacks shattered public faith in military leadership and the government. The public felt a sense of betrayal and hubris. This widespread anger ultimately mobilized the populace against the governing establishment, leading to massive protests, inquiries, and significant political shifts. Does this sound familiar?  The same attitude was going on today with the October 7, 2023 attack.  

Relief: While victory was achieved in military terms—with Israeli forces pushing back the advancing armies and encircling the Egyptian Third Army—in 1973, it was celebrated primarily as a survival of a disaster rather than a cause for joyful, triumphant celebrations.

 Ultimately, the trauma and strategic shock of the war forced a psychological shift. The Brookings Institution notes that the realization of the war's high cost set the stage for subsequent diplomacy, eventually culminating in the historic Egypt-Israel peace process.                   

     Nasser, sunglasses in suit, center:  Some of the attending heads of state at the Arab League Summit in Khartoum following the Six-Day War. From left to right: Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Nasser, Abdullah al-Sallal of Yemen, Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah of Kuwait and Abd al-Rahman Arif of Iraq, 2 September 1967.  Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein (15 January 1918 – 28 September 1970) was an Egyptian military officer and revolutionary who served as the second president of Egypt from 1954 until his death in 1970.                      

2nd Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated on October 6, 1981, by extremist members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad during an annual military parade in Cairo. The attack unfolded while Sadat was watching the victory parade commemorating the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The brazen operation involved the following details: The Attack: A truck carrying an assassination squad, led by army lieutenant Khaled el-Islambouli, stopped in front of the reviewing stand. The extremists dismounted, threw grenades, and opened fire with assault rifles directly into the crowd of officials

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat made history as the first Arab leader to visit Israel, arriving in Jerusalem on November 19, 1977. His groundbreaking three-day trip was aimed at advancing the peace process and included a historic address to the Israeli Knesset.  It was a success !!! They loved him!!! Update: 6/15/26 2:22pm

 The 1979 Peace Treaty
Following the Accords, the two nations signed a formal peace treaty on March 26, 1979. The core terms included: Mutual Recognition: Egypt became the first Arab state to officially recognize Israel. Anwar el-Sadat was the president of Egypt from 1970-1981 who shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize for establishing peace agreements with Israel.

• Territorial Return: Israel agreed to withdraw all military and civilian presence from the Sinai Peninsula. In exchange, Egypt designated the peninsula as a demilitarized zone and accepted diplomatic normalization.
• Waterways: Egypt guaranteed the free passage of Israeli ships through the Suez Canal and recognized the Strait of Tiran and Gulf of Aqaba as international waterways. 

3. Current Dynamics and Challenges
While the treaty resulted in "cold peace", the military and diplomatic agreements remain fully intact. The countries maintain formal embassies, bilateral trade, and close security cooperation regarding border security and regional stability.Egypt and Israel officially opened their borders to each other's tourists and travelers every year from 1980 through 1986, following the historic Egypt–Israel peace treaty. 

The timeline of travel relations between 1980 and 1986 includes specific milestones:1980: Formal travel and normal traffic officially began after full diplomatic relations were established in January. While thousands of Israelis traveled to Egypt, reciprocal tourism from Egyptians was extremely minimal.