Ivanka Trump, POTUS’ eldest daughter and senior White House adviser was awarded the “Friend of Israel Award” by the Israeli-American Council (IAC) in Las Vegas on Tuesday, hardly had the most known women empowerment advocate delivered her speech at the iconic CES technology show.
The merits that the award is given for are “the support for Zionism and Jewish values".
As the IAC put it, the award, presented by the organisation and GOP donors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, was given to Trump because she “has shown a strong positive connection to the State of Israel as well as believes in the importance of the friendship between the US and Israel and works to strengthen the alliances between the people of the United States and the people of Israel".
However, in comments to The Jerusalem Post, IAC CEO Shoham Nicolet opted for a more emotional tone saying “as a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Ivanka has been an inspiration for both women in leadership and family values".
Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism to marry her Orthodox Jewish husband Jared Kushner, poured out thanks in return, naturally, expressing what a “tremendous honour it is” to receive the award, as she told the newspaper in written comments, adding “with conviction that there is no greater friend to Israel than President Trump".
The award was immediately heartily laughed off on Twitter:
“LOL!!!! It's an award from the Adelsons....like getting an award from your mommy and daddy", one posted tauntingly, with others replying similarly. Some assumed the Israelis are attempting to “get to the King” through his close relative – “old game", another user exclaimed!
Ivanka Trump recieves "The Friend of Israel Award" from the IAC | The Jerusalem post
— Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) January 9, 2020
Puke 🤮 https://t.co/5bmHIBLm4o
Courting the daughter. Trying to get to the King, old game!! https://t.co/r6VitHHYn3
— Yu Roc Entertainment (@Yu_Roc_Ent) January 8, 2020
Jivanka receives the friend of Israel award.
— Betrayed!! STOP AMNESTY CLOSE THE BORDER (@OpinionsMiOwn) January 8, 2020
They cannot hide it anymore folks.
They do it brazenly in your face. https://t.co/Tq8M3FOi79
There were at least some voices of support, with one singing the praises of the Trump administration:
Didn’t think it was possible to reverse all the damage that Obama did the US / Israel relationship so quickly. I was wrong. Well deserved. 🇺🇸🇮🇱
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) January 8, 2020
Ivanka Trump receives the Friend of Israel Award from the IAC https://t.co/PR6927xK8l
….while another predicted Ivanka might “soon” be the first female president of the US:
Say hello to the soon to be first woman to become President of the United States...@IvankaTrump @realDonaldTrump @GOP @HillaryClinton https://t.co/YtmNHRu4AF
— Sasha Cees (@CeesSasha) January 8, 2020
A third suggested it was in all likelihood a quid pro quod:
Miriam given the Presidential Medal of Freedom from @realDonaldTrump, thus Ivanka gets the Friend of Israel award
— SJNoffsinger (@SJNoffsinger) January 8, 2020
On the very same day, 7 January, Ivanka likewise entered the spotlight online as she delivered a keynote speech at a prestigious technology show organised by CES. Netizens eagerly took aim at her apparent lack of expertise in tech, arguing it is yet another one of “nepotism princess’s” publicity stunts.