By Mark D. Zimmerman
MELVILLE, New York –When Ben Carson visited Israel for the first time in December 2014, he quizzed his guide about the Israeli system of government, asking “In the United States, we have Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. What do you have?” When the guide explained Israel’s parliamentary system in the Knesset, he asked “And what is the role of the Knesset?” After further explanation from the guide, Carson finally said what?
A. “So it’s the Knesset that makes the laws enabling Israelis to have guns. And because of that, Israel can stand up to its enemies. I respect that.”
B. “It sounds logical. Maybe that’s what the United States needs to ensure a government that works.”
C. “So could a Muslim be elected the head of the Knesset? I’ve gotten in trouble for saying a Muslim shouldn’t be president of the United States, but I’ll say it now. I don’t think a Muslim should be president of the Knesset either.”
D. “It sounds complex. Why don’t they just adopt the system we have?”
E. “That’s interesting. But did you know that I achieved fame by separating co-joined twins? And here I am in the land of King Solomon, whose claim to fame is that he suggested separating a baby into two to solve a dispute between two women. I separate babies and the King of Israel separates babies. Now surely that can’t be a coincidence.”
B. “It sounds logical. Maybe that’s what the United States needs to ensure a government that works.”
C. “So could a Muslim be elected the head of the Knesset? I’ve gotten in trouble for saying a Muslim shouldn’t be president of the United States, but I’ll say it now. I don’t think a Muslim should be president of the Knesset either.”
D. “It sounds complex. Why don’t they just adopt the system we have?”
E. “That’s interesting. But did you know that I achieved fame by separating co-joined twins? And here I am in the land of King Solomon, whose claim to fame is that he suggested separating a baby into two to solve a dispute between two women. I separate babies and the King of Israel separates babies. Now surely that can’t be a coincidence.”
Link to answer:
http://rrrjewishtrivia.com/answers/ben-carson-answer.html
Mark D. Zimmerman is the author of Rashi, Rambam and Ramalamadingdong series of Jewish trivia e-books. Learn more at rrrjewishtrivia.com.