WASHINGTON—‘’I send my warmest wishes to the Jewish people in the United States and around the world as we approach the High Holy Days,’’ said U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone conversation with American Jewish leaders on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year 5779.
The president spoke of his ‘’personal’’ connection to Judaism. “I am the very proud father of a Jewish daughter, Ivanka, and my son-in-law, who I’m very proud of also — I will say that very loudly — Jared, and my several Jewish grandchildren, namely three beautiful Jewish grandchild that I love,” Trump declared.
He also expressed his ‘’deep admiration and gratitude for the extraordinary contribution of the Jewish people to the United States and to the world. ‘’Over the centuries, the Jewish people have suffered unthinkable persecution, yet you have not only endured, you have thrived and flourished as an example of humankind.’’
My connection to Judaism is also personal. I am the very proud father of a Jewish daughter, Ivanka, and my son-in-law, who I’m very proud of also — I will say that very loudly — Jared, and my several Jewish grandchildren, namely three beautiful Jewish grandchild that I love.
He recalled that last year he kept his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Regarding his peace efforts, Trump praised his team’s progress on the issue. “Ambassador Friedman, Jason [Greenblatt], Jared [Kushner], and others are working hard to reach a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Said Trump: “All my life I’ve heard that’s the hardest deal to make, and I’m starting to believe that maybe it is. But I will say that if it can be delivered, we will deliver it.”
Both Kushner and Friedman were present on the call.
He also recalled that in June, the United States announce their withdrawal from the anti-Israel United Nations Human Rights Council. ‘’We have already acknowledged that and will continue to defend Israel’s sovereign rights in all international forums,’’ Trump declared.
The U.S. President also talked about the cancellation of the nuclear deal with Iran. ‘’I can only say from the standpoint of Israel, what I did was a great thing for Israel. And what I did was also a very good thing for world peace, because everywhere we went — especially in the Middle East — where there was a problem, Iran stood behind that problem,’’ he said.