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The Real Story Behind That Settlement Israel Named After Donald Trump Is So Trump It Hurts
On Sunday, embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new settlement in Israel named in honor of "a friend of Israel."
He took to Twitter and posted a photo, captioned:
"Establishing a new community in the Golan Heights named after a friend of Israel, US President [Donald Trump]. A historic day!"
Establishing a new community in the Golan Heights named after a friend of Israel, US President @realDonaldTrump. A… https://t.co/QJ3E6CQxSE— Benjamin Netanyahu (@Benjamin Netanyahu) 1560703920.0
The unveiling of 'Trump Heights' town in Golan Heights with Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu and US Ambassador Da… https://t.co/MFAIQVs43Q— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS English) 1560697148.0
A great day on the Golan. PM Netanyahu and I had the honor to dedicate “Trump Heights” — first time Israel has dedi… https://t.co/bpjAbYUQg9— David M. Friedman (@David M. Friedman) 1560699915.0
Shortly after, President Trump thanked Netanyahu.
He posted:
"Thank you Mr. Prime Minister, a great honor!"
Thank you Mr. Prime Minister, a great honor! https://t.co/ozLz84g3i0— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1560737881.0
@realDonaldTrump Don’t get too excited. Just like all those buildings that used to have your tainted name on it, th… https://t.co/9DDSGB5ObA— Andy Ostroy (@Andy Ostroy) 1560739761.0
But not so fast says Senior Diplomatic correspondent based in Tel Aviv, Israel, Barak Ravid. He took to Twitter to refute Netanyahu's claim.
Ravid posted:
"To my dear friends in the international press: A settlement by the name of 'Trump Heights' or 'Ramat Trump' doesn't exist. It [may] exist in the future but the Israeli cabinet still hasn't even decided to do it. For now there's only a sign. A huge sign. Like Kim Jong Un's envelopes."
To my dear friends in the international press: A settlement by the name of "Trump Heights" or "Ramat Trump" doesn't… https://t.co/iD8iBbtvNR— Barak Ravid (@Barak Ravid) 1560715473.0
Israel's Netanyahu inaugurates non-existent 'Trump Heights' town in the Golan https://t.co/39oPyLkDum— Barak Ravid (@Barak Ravid) 1560715870.0
Welcome to Trump Heights, the Israeli town that doesn't exist: There's no more fitting tribute to Trump than a gian… https://t.co/9wZeThxE2O— Gregg Carlstrom (@Gregg Carlstrom) 1560743596.0
People called the move by Netanyahu out as an attempt to manipulate Trump. And declared it successful.
Netanyahu unveiled a "Trump Heights" sign at a ceremony today to honor Trump for recognising Israeli sovereignty ov… https://t.co/ZB0uAFSjx0— Amee Vanderpool (@Amee Vanderpool) 1560720729.0
Few people supported Netanyahu's announcement.
@netanyahu @robdelaney @realDonaldTrump 🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮— ben stone (@ben stone) 1560716008.0
@benrockstone @netanyahu @robdelaney @realDonaldTrump I Second this 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮— Tony Rico (@Tony Rico) 1560720294.0
@TDRico @benrockstone @netanyahu @robdelaney @realDonaldTrump I third this 🤮🤮🤮🤮— KING MB 🇭🇹🇭🇹 (@KING MB 🇭🇹🇭🇹) 1560720396.0
@Brutusmiz @TDRico @benrockstone @netanyahu @robdelaney @realDonaldTrump I 4ourth this 🤮🤮🤮🤮— Kuda Jr (@Kuda Jr) 1560721635.0
@_kathra @KudaCjr @Brutusmiz @TDRico @benrockstone @netanyahu @robdelaney @realDonaldTrump 6th extinction 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮— KewlBern🔥#OneOfTheSquad (@KewlBern🔥#OneOfTheSquad) 1560724816.0
Others called an actual eventual settlement ill advised.
@BarakRavid If Israel wants to have an ally in America after Trump leaves office, this town better never exist.— Jason Melrath (@Jason Melrath) 1560717472.0
@JasonMelrath @BarakRavid They could base Israel's first clown college there and that would make it OK.— WC (@WC) 1560718045.0
In reality, Netanyahu took the entire Israeli cabinet to the Golan Heights. The current Prime Minister then stated the cabinet would pass a resolution establishing "Ramat Trump."
But what they passed said the government could not make the decision with an election coming in September. What really happened was:
- Ministry of Housing will start preliminary planning work
- No funds allocated to build the Ramat Trump
- Netanyahu placed a huge sign with the name in the spot it might be located sometime in the future if approved
- Netanyahu and Ambassador Friedman unveiled the sign in front of the cameras and praised Trump.
Much has been said about the profits made by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump as a result of the presidency of her father and their role in his administration. In 2019, Vicky Ward wrote Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, available here.