A Message to Shai Franklin and Gotham Government Relations

 Shai Franklin fancies himself as a "lobbyist" and a "humanitarian for hire". That "for hire" conjures up some amazing words in my brain, but I will remain focused. What else can we determine about this man? Well, Shai is a "Partner and Director of National Government Relations with Gotham Government Relations. 

I have no idea what all that means. I know he was, according to himself, the Director of International Organizations for the World Jewish Congress. It says has been registered to lobby at state and federal levels and aren't we impressed, he's "addressed" the United Nations. So have I but not in words I'd admit to having said. 

In JTA's "100 Most Influential Twitter Users" of 2009, he was ranked 8th. It also says the copyright date of his website is 2019. Reading in his "News and Views" section, he writes about how the "real fight against antisemitism can resume" under Biden. That's kind of ironic, considering antisemitism has skyrocketed under Biden's leadership. (Points for me for not putting an adjective between Biden and leadership.)

In 2019, he was apparently hired on behalf of the Libyan government (Gotham will work for Libyan government 27/9/2019). Hey, they paid him $1.5 million dollars plus $150,000 in expenses and look how smart - they demanded 50% up front. One might assume from this that he doesn't come cheap and doesn't trust his clients to pay their bills. 

They also list the New York Tobacconist Organization, which "works to represent and assist all tobacco retailers in the state of New York". Wonder how much money they earned from that job?

What is ironic is not that Gotham works with the Libyan Government, and the New York Tobacconist Organization, but that they also work with/for ZAKA Search and Rescue.

On October 7 and in the days that followed, hundreds of ZAKA volunteers worked around the clock to deal with over 1,400 dead, mutilated, tortured, raped, massacred victims. From the agony of what they saw, several volunteers were broken. WHY would ZAKA work with Shai Franklin or the organization for which he works? I promise, I plan to ask them.

It sickens me that this man, this Shai Franklin believes he has the right to determine when those innocent victims' lives should be "considered avenged". The outrage I feel is enormous, the anger beyond measure. This man's arrogance is completely unexplainable.

What right does he have to tell Israel who should lead us? 

Has he ever lived in Israel?

Has he ever served in the Israel army? Any army?

Was it his wife raped? 

His daughter murdered? 

Were his grandchildren kidnapped? 

Do his sons serve Israel?

Were they there fighting in Gaza?

I find as the days go by, my tolerance for these woke Jews lessens. Who the hell does Shai think he is to dare attempt to speak for Israel or even about Israel?

Here's an update for Shai - YOU do not speak for the Jewish world. From what I see, you don't even speak for the American Jews. You have no right to tell us when October 7 has been avenged. 

As for who leads the current or next government of Israel, again - your statement makes it clear Israel is nothing to you, you understand nothing. Hey, Shai - We are not worrying about politics, why the hell do you think you have the right to say ANYTHING about what Israel should do? Who we should elect? 

If you wish to think how little you think of Shai Franklin, please feel free to comment on his website (linked above), or his LinkedIn profile. I'd offer his Facebook page (feel free to add it in the comments) but I can't because Shai refused my offer to comment and simply blocked me. Thus showing how mature and open to dialog he is...

So, I'll leave my message here for Shai Franklin and Gotham Government Relations:

I have to tell you  - the thought that you think you have the right to tell us when we have avenged our dead is beyond insulting. The thought that you even think you know how much damage is in Gaza OR in Israel is arrogant and incorrect. You know only what the media tells you. IF you have any connections in Israel, given you clear and obvious hatred of Netanyahu, you clearly are no intelligent enough to understand they are feeding you what you want to hear. As to your clearly ridiculous encouragement for empowering "moderate Palestinians" - perhaps you can explain where we can find any.

Certainly not in the Palestinian Authority, which has announced they stand with Hamas; certainly not in Gaza, nor in the areas of Judea and Samaria - where over 82% have expressed the horrific opinion that the attacks of October 7 were justified.

As a result of this tweet, not to mention your general background and history - it is time for you to resign. Perhaps you would best serve those in line with your thinking by joining the Palestinians. I encourage you to travel to Gaza or to Ramallah. Yes, please do.