A Challenge To Netanyahu

There is political buzz in Israel about Gadi Eisenkot, a former general and chief of military staff. Although Eisenkot favors a two state solution, he would retain established settlements in the West Bank. He also favors less dependence on United States.

His parents were immigrants from Morocco, so he has a foothold with the Sephardic block. In 2025 he formed the new Yashar Party, however in Israel parties are numerous.

While currently polling one point ahead, that may not be enough against such a political survivor as Netanyahu. A developing issue is that he would likely need the support of an Israeli Arab party, alienating other segments of the Israeli public. Israel has coalition governments, much more complicated than our two flavor system.

The General's Wallet

This year the Trexler Trust is dispensing over $6mil to an assortment of the usual institutions and organizations. Every year I study the list, and it is truly uninspired. Each year the same trustees enable the same engines of the status quo which have made Allentown less livable every year.

With one exception, I won't list either the givers or the takers, but believe me that there are no surprises. The Trust is backing the Art Museum move with $250K a year for five years. As I written before, the move will boost Reilly's 10th St. holdings at the expense of the 5th Street art district.

As specified by Trexler's will, one third of the yearly payout goes to the Allentown Park Department. Seasoned readers of this blog know that I have issues with the park's priorities... But, however misspent the money is by the park department, it is value compared to the other $4mil.

As I have chosen not to name the grantors and the grantees, comments will be likewise monitored.

Did I Save Marco Rubio?

By chance, no bravery involved, I may have saved a couple of kids from drowning when I was growing up. One kid fell through an ice covered, water filled foundation when I was about nine. I held onto his arm until my cousin ran home to get her father to pull him up. Years later in the mid 1960's, I carried a young Cuban boy from the water off South Beach.

At that time that portion of Miami Beach was not the destination it is now. In the mid 1960's, the old hotels weren't fashionable, they were just old. Pensioned retirees rented the rooms by the month. The Cubans were just starting to flee Castro's takeover of that country. I knew of no such things back then, I was just visiting with a family friend who lived in a modern high-rise facing the bay.

Somehow, later that year, I received a letter from the boy's older sister thanking me for saving her brother. Years ago on this blog, I told the story of finding a diary in an old chest in Virginia. Years later, that blog post found its way to someone who recognized who I was writing about. I know that it wasn't Marco Rubio I pulled from the ocean. The boy now would be about 70 years old.

Left Speechless By Trump's Speech

Trump's speech on July 16th was classic, even for him. In 28 minutes or so, he undid whatever rapport we have with China, denigrated the American free press, and that was his more presidential mutterings.. 

Although he knows that chances of passage for his voter ID bill are slim, his intent was to excuse the pending midterm losses, and the subsequent reflection on his administration. His "never better" economy soliloquy, or as I call it nutter butter, only lasts until the next visit to the gas pump.

It truly was a speech to a shrinking choir. Locally, the incumbent Republican congressman was given a gift via an unqualified opponent, but who apparently is ahead anyway in the polls. While Trump's coattails were strong in 2024, its stitching has become quickly frayed as he brays on about voter fraud in 2020. Those incumbents who were holding on to those tails will find themselves torn loose.

Molovinsky On Istanbul

Since I revealed yesterday in a comment that I studied in Jerusalem, I will fess up to recently taking a self refresher on archaeology in Istanbul. If you have an interest in the post biblical era, Türkiye is about as close as you might want to be now, but even there Trump switched planes to fly out of that country.

Erdogan and Türkiye continue to profit from being the safest place near the Middle East. Even though he occasionally rattles the saber against Israel, Trump hinted about selling him F-35's. Erdogan takes defense seriously, he even gave the NATO delegates Turkish made revolvers as departing gifts.

Trump seems to be still searching for an exit strategy from Iran. He doesn't seem to have any working knowledge of diplomacy, nor are any of his sycophants so equipped. MAGA is still defending him, but they're leaving the red hats at home.

Independents For Israel

Recently, I have been researching the two major American Jewish lobbies for Israel,  AIPAC and J Street. I hold with the belief that the partition of the British Mandate into two states in 1947/48 was just. Up to several years ago, the Arab/Palestinian faction was the main obstacle to a 2 STATE solution/peace. Since October 7th, 2023, Israelis have for the most part lost heart with peace efforts. That portion that remains Peace Now is about 23%.

AIPAC is the older, more established of the two American groups. However, with Israel's hard right response in both Gaza and the West Bank, its reputation with the American public might become a political liability for Congress. I personally find J-Street's positions much more aligned with my current feelings about Israel.*

I'm penning this post because of an observation about J-Street. While AIPAC is now aligned with the Republicans and Democrats who staunchly support the current Israeli government, J-Street targets those  considerably more to the left. I believe that they would benefit from a bigger tent. IMO, they need to understand that there are independents, and even Republicans, who still see 2 STATES as the only long term solution. While we support a very strong Israeli defense, we would like to see the offense governed by being the proverbial light  As an independent, I'm more than a group of one, and hope that  J Street becomes more inclusive.

the above misleading graphic was on Facebook. J Street does not want America to end support for Israel.   

*Those interested in knowing about these groups should explore their respective websites

A Molovinsky Memoir

I put yesterday's post about Harry Molovinsky on the Allentown Chronicles Facebook page. A woman whose father also worked for the park department commented that Harry took some harassment being the only Jew working for the park department in the 1940's.

Jews attending William Allen twenty years later were still frequently reminded that they were Jewish. Although I grew up spending time with my father's siblings and their children, I knew virtually nothing of my father's cousins. 

It is my understanding that my grandfather Aaron came to Allentown first in 1891, and when he had earned enough, sent for his parents and siblings from Lithuania. A butcher like my grandfather, his brother Jacob opened a meat market on 2nd Street. Harry also was a meat cutter before getting a job cutting grass with the parks. Sisters included Florence, Bessie and Annie. The entire family, including my great grandparents, lived on 2nd Street.

shown above are my father's cousins, sons of Jacob, who all served (WW2) at the same time