Last week, I wrote about the year in review, as for who were the good guys and who were the bad guys when it came to supporting Israel. This week, I would like to dabble in my wishes and realities for the new secular year.
We must begin with Israel. Of course, my wish is that all the wars Israel is facing will come to a quick and successful end and all remaining hostages released. Realistically, I know Israel has a tough year ahead. But with a new American administration, the likelihood of an ideal outcome is better than it has been.
My wish is that Netanyahu’s brutal internal enemies from the left, including the treasonous Ehud Barak, and Yossi Lapid, will let him prosecute the war. Stop the embarrassing charges against him about a box of cigars. They should recognize that their dangerous leftist ideology is the same that fuels the leftist protests against Israel all over the world. But they have too much self-interest for them to change.
My wish is that the world will come to its senses and understand the harm they are bringing to themselves by supporting Hamas and its terrorists. Realistically, the world – from the pope on down (or up) – is so consumed with hatred for Jews, they are willing to bring their own houses down to continue their hatred. Witness the awful Islamic terror in Germany and New Orleans. In New Orleans, the murderer was not even ashamed to display an ISIS flag. Why not? Hamas is openly supported and touted every day. Let Ireland enjoy their thousands of Muslims who have invaded their land and with whom they identify. Realistically, nothing will change.
My wish is that President Trump will have the usual 100-day honeymoon and fulfill his agenda. Realistically, the Democrats and the media will give him five days at most. That is, if they do not trash his inauguration.
I hope it’s not too unrealistic that Trump will lead the world in turning around its leftist ideology. I would love to see that. I don’t think it will happen. Maybe Trudeau is the first domino to fall.
My wish is that the sugar-coating of Jimmy Carter will fade after his funeral and that the world learns from the disastrous mistakes he made. I do think he will disappear fast from memory. Unlike Reagan, there is nothing memorable about him except for Camp David, which if he had it his way, would have been the beginning of the end of Israel. (See Rav Meir Soloveichik’s article on The Wall Street Journal’s Opinion page in last weekend’s edition.)
My wish is that the Woke ideology will finally come to an end. Realistically, it may happen. Many politicians, pundits, and voters have finally woken up to reject the insanity of Wokeism.
My wish is that the issue of drafting yeshivah students into the IDF be resolved. Realistically, it won’t. Both sides are not being honest in their arguments, pro and con. (Is it about religious law or culture?) Politics will lead the way, and no right-wing coalition can do without the chareidi vote.
My wish is that political correctness, including the delusional vision calling for a two-state solution, will come to an end. It just may happen. Marco Rubio is not Antony Blinken. Thank G-d.
My ultimate wish is that Jews will finally find unity in the fulfillment of the pasuk (Zechariah 14:9): “Then G-d will be King over the earth; on that day shall G-d be One and His Name One.”
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
