Truman vs. Israel

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Although William Spatz’s Truman vs. Israel depicts a fictional encounter between former President Truman and lawyer and later first Jewish woman congresswoman Bella Abzug in 1953, the play brings to life these two colorful and flamboyant personalities who are not so much known today as they once were. As directed by Randy White, the real problem with the play is that in reviewing Truman’s career leading up to the accusation of anti-Semitism, it rehashes a great deal of political history which will be unfamiliar to most theatergoers. One almost needs a score card to follow the ins and outs of Truman’s controversial career. The play also cuts between 1988 and 1953 making it confusing as to what is happening when.

Truman vs. Israel begins with Abzug sitting for an unnamed New York artist in 1988 when a news report about the first Palestinian Intifada against Israel comes on the radio. When the painter calls Israel an “apartheid state,” Abzug blows up at him and decides to give him a history lesson that involved her. In March 1953, soon after Truman left the White House, he is considering filing a libel suit against journalist David Rosenfeld of the New York Evening Star for a published article that accuses him of being a bigot and an antisemite.

She relates how she was sent by lawyer Clark Clifford to go to Independence, Missouri, and talk former President Truman out of the lawsuit he was planning as there was a pretty good chance he would lose. She is accompanied by Don Muller, an attorney with a background in the Holocaust and 1948 Arab/Israeli War. When Truman finds out she is Jewish, he informs her that no Jews have been allowed in the house since his mother-in-law’s time and he has followed suit. He allows her to stay as she already in his study. Then Bella and Don read the article in question out loud called “Bigotry, Bombs and Broken Promises” claiming that Truman recognized the new state of Israel but then almost destroyed it with a U.S. embargo on arms shipments and planes.”

Bella warns him that Melvin Belli, the expected opposing council, is famously rabid in the courtroom and a friend of the journalist. She reminds him that anything he has ever said or wrote will be fair game in a libel suit. Truman begins recounting his career pointing out how his actions demonstrate his humanity and discounting as antiquated Southern prejudice insulting remarks he has made over the years. Truman counters that he was the first head of state to recognize the new state of Israel but that he had to balance the wishes of the America people in the Arab/Israeli conflict when it came to the embargo.

Then Eddie Jacobson, Truman’s best friend and a Jew, arrives to be deposed, accepting the fact that they have the meeting outside of the Truman residence. His testimony cuts both ways, reminding them that Truman desegregated the Army but he came from Deep South Confederates. When he leaves, it transpired that Dan, the other lawyer, has his own agenda which leads to the surprising ending. The debate between Truman and Abzug over his career and pronouncements is quite exciting though we are given almost too much information to follow. It is left to the audience to decide for themselves if Truman was antisemitic or not.

Stage and screen veteran actor Willy Falk is believable as former President Truman but he has not yet made the role his own. His Truman doesn’t have the mannerisms and quirks that would make him a unique personality. As Bella Abzug, Helen Laser is both prettier and less abrasive than the woman she is playing. However, she is an excellent debater and a worthy opponent. Matt Caplan is rather stiff in the underwritten role of attorney Dan Muller but later we find out that he is hiding a secret that will change everything. In the thankless job of playing both the Painter and Eddie Jacobson, Mark Lotito is given few dentifying characteristics as either character so that he seems quite generic as both the painter and the friend. White’s direction is smooth but there isn’t as much tension as there ought to be in the debate between Truman and Abzug.

Visually the production is first rate. Lauren Helpern’s study and sitting room setting complete with a fireplace, grand piano and family portraits is quite elegant though the stained glass windows are rather distracting even though  this historically accurate. The costumes by Sydney Gallas are quite attractive for their 1953 era. Tyler Micoleau’s lighting is fine though it does not completely block out the 1953 set during the 1988 artist’s studio scenes.

Though Truman vs. Israel is mainly fictionally except for quoting things the former president actually said, it is a fascinating review of his career and personal biases. Randy White’s cast keeps you interested in the heady debate at all times though you may have trouble recalling it all afterwards. Willy Faulk and Helen Laser make fine adversaries who in fact never met in real life. With Israel always in the current news over the Gaza War, it is interesting to hear how it all began.

Truman vs. Israel (through October 31, 2025)

Greenhouse Theater Center

The Theater at St. Clement’s, 423 W. 46^th Street, in Manhattan

For tickets, visit http://www.Trumanvisrael.com

Running time: 90 minutes without an intermission