The widely distributed free weekly Besheva, identified with Israel’s so-called Hardal (Haredi-nationalist) community, reminds me of the joke about the Jew who made a point of reading antisemitic publications describing our immense power, so he could reassure himself that the situation was not as bad as it seemed.

The June 25 issue offered two long interviews which were particularly striking: one with Rabbi Dov Lior, who is associated with Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party, and another with Energy Minister Eli Cohen, formerly Israel’s foreign minister. Together, the two interviews provide an uplifting and reassuring picture.

If anyone believes Israel’s strategic position has reached a low point and that the country has lost its freedom of action, Cohen argues precisely the opposite. According to him, while President Trump is a great friend of Israel, if American demands contradict Israel’s needs, Israel will simply ignore them. As though Israel has not been quick to obey, including turning back planes which had already set out on a mission.

In Cohen’s telling, it is now obvious to the entire world which country is the strongest power........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)