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Or sign-in if you have an account.(FILES) Rahm Emanuel (Photo by Saul LOEB / AFP) Photo by SAUL LOEB /AFP via Getty ImagesIt might be true that Israel needs to work toward a reset. Obviously, the Jewish state has been in survival mode after the atrocities of October 7. Defending itself against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and of course, Iran. That would tilt any nation off course. But it did not need a beat-down lecture at Tel Aviv University from the former Obama acolyte, Chicago Mayor and aspiring U.S. President, Rahm Emanuel.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. 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Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorWe already know the war has been devastating on Israel’s popularity: some European nations have turned their back on the Jewish state and America’s love-affair is teetering. This is particularly the case in the Democratic Party, now overshadowed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s anti-Israel narrative. Any aspiring leader in the Democratic party today must be critical of Israel to stand a chance at winning a seat or in Emanuel’s case, the presidency.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againNo one in Israel was waiting anxiously to hear what Emanuel had to say: “I flew here from Chicago to tell you directly where things need to head if we are going to maintain the historic alliance that binds our two democracies.” It may have gone unnoticed that the fact he could speak openly in Tel Aviv as opposed to Tehran was a sign of the strength of America and Israel’s durable alliance.No matter. Emanuel wants to impose the growing narrative in his own party: “without question, the alliance is at a crossroads. It cannot stand or survive as it has been. To maintain the strength of our ties, we need significant changes and a new direction.” Funny! When was the last time anyone stood in front of the Palestinian Authority telling President Mahmoud Abbas it’s time for a new direction?It takes a special type of chutzpah to stand before a people who have been fighting the barbarians on behalf of the world while they mourn their sons and daughters. They still suffer post-trauma from the October 7 savagery. But then to tell them plainly that they have turned from a start-up nation into “being considered primarily a territorial pariah” because they have been fighting a war they did not start? Are you serious?He is so wise: “You need to think about what that means for your future.” What that means to every Israeli and Jew around the world, Mr. Emanuel, is that Israel is defending its future and protecting its past. A strong Israel will produce peace, protect its democracy, and reinvigorate The Abraham Accords in the region. A strong Israel will allow its citizens the space they need to continue growing, innovating, and producing the technological miracles many nations (including America) enjoy today.Threatening Israeli banks, construction companies and officials with sanctions is not the path forward to strengthening the ties between Israel and America. That threat is no different than an acquiescence to the Palestinian street protesters that has long advocated for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against the state of Israel. Israel has had to circle its wagons — to fortify itself — these last three years. What Israel needs most now is a helping hand that cares, that helps steer it to its next chapter, not a hand that threatens to harm it with sanctions.These threats and obvious disdain for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overshadow Emanuel’s more sensible ideas: he wants to hold Arab leaders to account for Palestinian actions. He wants them to be true partners in peace. “To that end, the now discredited path to a ‘two state solution’ should be replaced by a 23-state solution: the 21 Arab nations … now need to roll up their sleeves and stand up a governing authority capable of accepting the historic Jewish connection to this land.” He calls them out on “rewarding terrorists who kill Jews” and on “teaching young children to hate Israelis”.That line of thinking is more sensible and brings the onus of the future of the region on the Arab states, not on Israel. It was not Israel that started the war, it was Hamas funded mainly by Iran and Qatar. The responsibility for the regional conflict is not Israel’s to bear alone. It belongs to its neighbours, including Lebanon and Syria who have meticulously and deviously worked to strengthen terror proxy organizations against Israel.Emanuel wants to see America’s subsidy of Israel’s military come to an end. America need not worry. Israel is already on a path to becoming militarily self-sufficient. In the coming years, it will expand its military production and enter alternate international partnerships. Israel’s substantive military and tech development already has success in global markets. America has benefitted too from Israeli innovation.Israel’s future is bright and Rahm Emanuel’s threats and propositions will have zero impact. The wars in the region will soon be over. A strong Israel will achieve a stable and peaceful Middle East. As the left increases its harsh rhetoric against Israel in America, Israel will become more independent of it, and it will strengthen and renew its diplomatic relations around the world.Not to worry Rahm! In the coming years, Israel will no longer be a start-up nation. It will be a build-up nation that is open to the world.Avi Abraham Benlolo is the Chairman and CEO of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.