Yesterday, I was focused on Republican VP nominee J.D. Vance's speech but would like to take a moment to single other two other speeches given last night at the RNC - Shabbos Kestenbaum and The Neutra Family.
Kestenbaum is the Harvard Divinity student who is the lead plaintiff suing the university for failing to deter anti-Semitism on campus and not penalizing students and faculty who engage in it. A registered Democrat who has supported both Bernie Sanders and Jamaal Bowman, Kestenbaum made an eloquent and fiery speech denouncing the far left while praising former President Trump.
I shared Kestenbaum's anger at the university administration for tolerating anti-Semitism at Harvard and for the far left making a central part of its ideology. Yet I don't see how President Biden is part of the far left in anyway. Indeed, they hate Biden as much as any delegate at the RNC.
I also have a feeling Trump will disappoint Kestenbaum just as Bernie and Bowman have. When asked by The Forward about Trump's infamous dinner with white supremacist Nick Fuentes, Kestenbaum gave Trump's explanation the benefit of the doubt. Given that Trump is not known for being truthful, I am not inclined to give him such a benefit and I think it is a mistake for Kestenbaum to accept Trump's explanation at face value.
A little later on, Ronen and Orna Neutra took to the stage. They are the parents of Omer Neutra, who has been held in captivity by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Back in January, when I went to march demanding the hostages be released here in Cambridge, Neutra's cousin Tamar Davis Halper spoke at the event and described how his parents have been lobbying the Biden Administration for their son's release.
During that event, the refrain, "Bring Them Home!!!" rang out and would do again last night at the RNC at the behest of Ronen Neutra. He praised Trump for calling them personally during their time of need.
I can scarcely imagine what the Neutras have been going through since October 7th. No doubt they feel tremendous anger and frustration with the Biden Administration for the lack of progress concerning their son's release and can understand how Trump's phone call might have provided a source of comfort. With that said, I think Hamas would bear more responsibility for their anger and frustration. The Neutras might also wish to have a conversation with the parents of Otto Warmbier where it concerns their son and Trump's behavior concerning his captivity. As with Kestenbaum, the Neutras might be equally disappointed with Trump given his scathing anger towards the Israeli government in recent months.
Then again, given how Democratic Party activists are more likely to demand ceasefires than the release of the hostages, I cannot imagine the DNC slotting a spot for either Shabbos Kestenbaum or the Neutra Family. Consequently, the Republican Party sees an opportunity with Jewish voters and are taking it and with it might very well take back the White House for Donald Trump. That is unless, Democrats are smart enough to defy their radical wing and show their unequivocal support for Israel.
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