Upcoming EMET Webinar: Ruthie Blum and the State of the Relationship Between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump
Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Time: 12 Noon Eastern Standard Time or 7 p.m. Jerusalem Time
As all of you are aware by now, Israel has embarked upon “Operation Rising Lion”, striking out against the heart of the Iranian nuclear threat against Israel. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared, “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.” He also said on Thursday night, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”
However, President Trump did declare on Friday morning that “The United States will defend Israel, if attacked.”
The United States was certainly made aware of what was about to occur. They had enough time on Thursday to remove non-essential employees and diplomatic families from the Middle East.
As well all are aware , since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, The Islamic Republic of Iran has described Israel as “The Minor Satan” and the United States as “The Great Satan.” There certainly is evidence that the Islamic Republic has been working on intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, Israel had acted totally on its own, on Thursday evening, and we, in Israel have been advised to stay close to our shelters, and are in for a long, hard campaign.
Israel is fighting an existential war today, but Iran could try to strike at the United States tomorrow. Israel destroyed the Natanz nuclear facility, and eliminated its top IRGC Commanders, unaware in their homes, as well as its top nuclear scientists.
What has happened to the strength of the relationship between the United States and Israel? Is the United States simply relying on Israel to protect its national security interests, and those of the entire civilized, free world?
Are reports of a chilling of relations accurate? What about the reports of the President’s relationship with isolationist influencers, such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene?
And finally: Israel is fighting an existential war on 7 fronts, but the “head of the snake” has always been Tehran. Recent reports from the IAEA say that Iran has enough highly enriched uranium for at least 9 to10 nuclear bombs. Israel does not have the strategic depth to absorb even one bomb. Does the United States understand that Israel is simply the appetizer, and that Iran is working on intercontinental ballistic missiles to reach its main course, the United States, as well as certain American military installations in the Middle East? Will the United States run out of patience with Iran and assist Israel in its existential struggle? And finally: Will this US administration provide Israel with the weapons they need to succeed against Iran?
About Our Speaker: Ruthie Blum, a former adviser at the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is an award-winning columnist and a senior contributing editor at JNS, and a former features editor of the Jerusalem Post, and the acclaimed author of “To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama and the Arab Spring.” Ruthie is a co-host with Ambassador Mark Regev of the JNS-TV podcast “Israel Undiplomatic.” She often writes on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. Originally from New York, she moved to Israel in 1977. She is a regular guest on national and international media outlets, including Fox, Sky News, i24News, Scripps, ILTV, WION and Newsmax.
