Editorials

Whither USA on the birthdayof the world’s oldest democracy? Judging the foundation of the United States of America by the norms of the time, the signing of the Declaration of …

Remember when President Trump pronounced Gaza as the future Riviera of the Middle East? Remember when the US-imposed ceasefire in Gaza of Oct. 10 promised the reconstruction of Gaza premised on the disarming of Hamas? Remember — if only for the one week since it was signed — the US-brokered peace plan for Lebanon, based on the disarmament of Hezbollah?

As the deal that President Trump struck with Iran’s new “rational” leadership becomes clear, it gives Iran everything and gains nothing for the US, for Israel or for Lebanon. Sen. Bill Cassidy called the “Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.” That’s a Republican speaking.

Not to worry. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon — because President Donald Trump has given Iran 60 more days to negotiate its end. Sixty days here, six years there, a couple of decades thrown in for good measure, and what’s a nuclear weapon between friends?

The Intermountain Jewish News does not endorse political candidates for office. But ahead of a June 30 primary, we can say this: If you are concerned about rising anti-Semitism and the weaponization of the Israel-Hamas war to attack Jews worldwide, be extremely careful who you vote for.

Holocaust survivor Oscar Singer lived a century, most of it in Denver. Yet, as with so many others, he left his mark in Denver not only on the basis of his life here.

So appropriate. So perfect. So courageous. On the first anniversary of the firebombing in Boulder against the peaceful demonstrators for the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, Boulder’s Students for Justice in Palestine delivered a uniquely creative, indeed courageous, statement — veritably perfect — of the highest humanitarian and psychiatric importance.

Take it from former President Bill Clinton. With Israel’s agreement, he negotiated for the Palestinians their own state on 96% of the West Bank, plus 4% of Israel — their choice where.

Put on your thinking cap. Israel attacks Hezbollah, responding to the war Hezbollah began against Israel last March 2. For Israel’s attack on Hezbollah, Iran “retaliates” on June 7. Who does Iran “retaliate” against?

They must be short on comedians in Turkey. The country’s interior minister, Mustafa Ciftci, has announced the return of the Ottoman Empire, with Turkey as its head. Not to mention, once the Ottoman Empire is resurrected from the dead, Minister Ciftci will become the governor of Jerusalem! Just ask him.

In Bournemouth and Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, Jewish events were postponed or cancelled because of anti-Semitic threats. To counter what critic Dominic Green calls criminal intimidating and institutional weakness, the UK decided to host its first ever Jewish Culture Month.

Remember the cause-du-jour, “Zero Population Growth,” of decades past? It’s been too long for many to remember the certitude of ZPG that society will collapse unless people stop having so many children. How things have changed!