Above: Mossad logo with the seven-branched candelabrum that is described in the Hebrew Bible and in later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and in the Temple in Jerusalem. Since ancient times, it has served as a symbol representing the Jewish people and Judaism in both the Land of Israel and the Diaspora. It eventually became the State of Israel's official emblem after its founding in 1948. The menorah used for Hanukkah has nine branches.
This story just broke in Haaretz (subscription required).
Israeli Antiquities Are Stranded at Trump's Florida Estate as Authorities Fail to Retrieve Them
Israeli clay lamps, intended for a brief exhibition in Washington D.C. in 2019, got stranded in the U.S. due to the pandemic. Recently, they were found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida
It is being reported on other news websites. This is an excerpt:
A source told Haaretz they wouldn’t be surprised if “the items Israel seeks are also eventually found in some bathroom there”.
Israel is trying to recover 'national treasures' held at Trump's Florida home... read article
Here's another article, this one from Business Insider:
Trump has always put - would I be cycnical to suggest- a political show on for Jews during Hannukah. He once celebrated Hannukah with a menorah from the Tarnów ghetto (article).
Above: President Trump seen during the lighting of the Menorah by Moshe Margareten during an evening Hanukkah Reception in the East Room of the White House, December 11, 2019. I doubt this is a menorah loaned by Israel since the one described is ceramic.
Specifically celebrating Hannukah has become a fairly recent annual tradition. The first American president to have a Hannukah party or celebration was in 2001 under Predient George W. Bush. (Reference)
Oh ye, of little faith, who may think Trump only celebrated a Jewish holiday in the White House because he felt he had to do so and that in his black heart of hearts he harbors anti-Semetic feelings. You may point to how he has used anti-Semtic tropes (see 22021 CNN article: Trump uses anti-Semitic tropes to again criticize Jewish America), but don't forget his deep love for Jared and Ivanka.
It occurred to me that if Israel really wanted the antiquities back from Trump they'd have to go get them by whatever means possible. After all, the United States had to get a warrant and send the FBI to retrieve the stolen White House documents.
I thought about the fact that one of the most effective intelligence agencies in the world capable of operations outside of their own countries is Mossad. They've tracked down NAZI's and in 1972's Operation Wrath of God dealt with the perpetrators of the Olympic massacre in Munich.
The most effective way to assure the Isreali antiquities are returned is to send Mossad agents to get them. Maybe they could enlist Jared in finding out where they are squirreled away. I would be shocked, shocked I tell you, if Mossad didn't already have agents posing as rich Jewish members of the Mar-a-Lago golf club.
Addendum:
I wasn't going to write a blog about this until I looked up Mossad and saw that their logo had the seven candle menorah. I thought that this was close enough to the nine candle Hanukkah version.
I haven''t been able to find a photo of the actual ancient ceramic candles which were sent from Israel to the US for a Hanukkah event at the White House attended by Trump or a photo of Trump with the menorah. I don't know if Trump used them for a photo op. I wouldn't be surprised if he did.
