On the one hand, it's no secret that Israel would support a two-state solution -- with some kicking and screaming -- if the Palestinians would ever really accept one. On the other, Lapid is making a terrible mistake in an unfriendly forum.
That's right -- Israeli PM Yair Lapid told the UN, which is hostile to Israel, and where the Palestinians have been trying for decades to declare their "statehood" as an end-around to negotiations -- that Israel accepts a Palestinian state.
This jibes with Joe Biden's nonsensical claim yesterday that Palestinians are "entitled" to a state. No, they are not: they, like everyone else, have to build a state and agree to the basic rules of living in peace with their neighbors.
Perhaps Lapid made his announcement as part of some concession to the Biden administration -- perhaps to get Biden to back off the Iran deal, or to relieve some other form of pressure. If so, I doubt that deal will hold for very long.
The major criticism of Lapid's move comes from within Israel: that he is just an interim PM leading a collapsed government on the way to elections in November, and has no authority to offer such a momentous compromise.
The joke's on the little right-wing parties and politicians who, for reasons of personal ambition or narrow ideology, refused to allow Netanyahu to govern. Don't complain: you got what you should have known you were going to get.
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call in: 866-957-2874
