Trump Asked Rabbis About Netanyahu, Joked About Rubashkin Pardon

Newly revealed details from a meeting between President Donald Trump and prominent Orthodox rabbis and Rebbes in the Oval Office two weeks ago shed light on conversations about Israeli politics and the controversial pardon of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin. The meeting, which included leaders from Satmar, Bobov, and Vizhnitz Monsey, was initiated during Trump's campaign to establish a direct channel with the federal government regarding the autonomy of Orthodox education in New York.

Discussions covered issues such as educational independence, judicial fairness, security funding, and combating antisemitism. Trump insisted on holding the meeting in the Oval Office to honor the rabbis, scheduling it around Rosh Hashanah. During the meeting, Trump reportedly asked the rabbis, "Don't you all dislike Bibi?" to which one rabbi responded, "We love Trump."

Trump also humorously contrasted his military actions in the Middle East, like strikes against Iran, with the public reaction to his commutation of Rubashkin's sentence. He noted that while his actions to protect Israel didn't elicit thanks, the pardon of Rubashkin, whom he jokingly questioned if he was still alive, caused widespread celebration. Joel Rosenberg, who accompanied the Bobov Rebbe, explained the significance of the pardon to the Hasidic community, prompting Trump to remark on his strong support in Brooklyn.

The article further details Trump's account of the Rubashkin case, stating he intervened because he believed the prosecutor's harsh sentencing recommendation, which exceeded 28 years, was motivated by racism. Trump claimed he confronted the prosecutor, calling him antisemitic before granting the pardon, a move that led to Rubashkin's release and was celebrated in Orthodox communities worldwide.