Jerusalem decision was more political than diplomatic

The New York Times says that, for Trump, "the status of Jerusalem was always more a political imperative than a diplomatic dilemma."'  Trump spent much of his first year courting Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and some of the Gulf States.   Now it was time to keep the promise he had made to his Jeiwish supporters.

When we speak of Trump's base, we usually mean the angry, working class white people and evangelical Christians.   But Trump had specifically made a campaign promise to the powerful American-Israel lobby -- and, particularly to casino billionaire and supporter of Israel, Sheldon Adelson, who had given $20 million to a Trump political action committee, as well as another $1.5 million to the RNC organizing committee.   Adelson has stayed in touch, always reminding Trump of his promise.

Thursday, one day after the announcement, Trump got his reward:   a full page ad in the New York Times, proclaiming in big letters:

"President Trump:  You Promised.  You Delivered." 

"Thank you for courageously recognizing Jerisalem

as Israel's Eternal Capital"

"Mr. President, history will honor you as one of

Israel's greatest friends.

It's signed:  "Republican Jewish Coalition."

Trump has exchanged the possibility of Middle East peace for one day of glory for himself, plus guaranteed financing for his 2020 campaign . . .  if he's still around to run.

Ralph