In 19th century slang, the phrase “I’m your huckleberry” meant “I’m the man you’re looking for.” Nowadays it’s used as a response to a threat or a challenge, as in the movie “Tombstone,” starring Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday.

Now let’s fast forward to my day. Growing up, we used to have a saying about someone, normally a guy, who talked about stuff he couldn’t back up. It was called selling “woof tickets.” It was a common saying back in my day, especially playing street pickup basketball games. The ol’ folks down South had another saying: “don’t let your mouth write a check your butt can’t cover.” Well, the same goes in the world of politics and foreign policy.

We all recall the bravado of one Barack Obama saying there was a “red line” in Syria. Now that’s what I call some serious “woof ticket.” However — and this is gonna piss off the Trump loyalists — President Trump just made a major faux pas on the world stage, and did indeed write a check that he cannot now cover.

As reported by Bloomberg.com, “President Donald Trump has decided not to immediately move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a senior White House official said, violating a campaign promise but avoiding a provocation that could drive Palestinians away from peace talks.

This revelation comes on the heels of Trump administration National Security Adviser, LTG H.R. McMaster not definitively stating that the Western Wall (which I’ve visited twice) is part of Israel. I just gotta tell ya, these two actions do not bode well for reinforcing the Israeli position. However, it certainly emboldens the suit-wearing diplomatic Islamic jihadist group known as Fatah, masquerading as the Palestinian Authority.

And let’s be real honest, it was Mahmoud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen, who threatened violence if the United States made a sovereign decision to move its embassy. So, it now appears, in a very Pavlovian manner, that the United States has blinked at the threats of a non-state entity. If anything, we should have told the PLO to shut down its diplomatic mission here in the United States, which Barack Obama gave permission to be opened.

We should have conveyed our indignation that anyone would make open threats against the United States, such as was done by Abbas. We certainly never should have allowed his recognition with a White House visit. And ask yourselves, how is it that these Arabs can lay claim to that which has been the seat of the Jewish people, their capital, for nearly three millennia dating back to its title as “The City of David?” I mean really, a “Palestinian” capital? In what history book, or in whose mind?

And again, don’t forget the reason the word “Palestine” exists in that region is because of a decree from Roman Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian ordered the region to be renamed from Judea to Palaestinia, after defeating the Simon Bar Kokhba insurrection. Hadrian believed it was Judaism inspiring the revolt and therefore sought to eradicate Judaism completely. Hadrian’s actions began what is known as the “diaspora” because he was severely persecuting the Jews and therefore they dispersed elsewhere, including all over the Middle East.

The root word of Palaestinia is Philistia, and those who know ancient history are aware that the Philistines were descendants of the Greeks, not Arabs. Palestine is a region, not a people, so let’s stop this insidious charade. And just think, do the Italians make any claim on Jerusalem? After all, the Romans renamed it to Aelia Capitolina, so perhaps the Italian Prime Minister should travel down and officially annex it under that name.

I know, y’all hate it when I use logic and history — you know, facts to make a case, rather than emotion. And the reason why we keep kowtowing to these folks is that they exude the most debased expression of emotion: violence. And therefore we cower, stating that we want to “avoid a provocation,” meaning, sadly so, President Donald Trump sold the Jewish people “woof tickets.” But what’s worse, Abbas and all the other Islamic jihadists are celebrating, just like when they name new streets, schools, and memorials after suicide bombers, because they made the United States of America back down.

Look, I want President Trump to succeed. The alternative is unpalatable. But, if we despised red line mentality with Barack Obama, we cannot make excuses for it in this instance. Yes, 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired into Syria after the chemical weapons attack. And in an abject act of defiance, Syrian aircraft took off from the same airfield within 24 hours.

We should not seek appeasement, compromise, or weakened compliance with a group that is the original Islamic terrorist organization. We have to secure a high ground and express that Israel, a recognized nation-state, is our ally, and we shall emplace our embassy where we darn well please. If these folks referring to themselves wrongly as “Palestinians” want peace, you don’t get it by threatening violence, much like a kid not getting what he want throws a tantrum.

Back when President Trump spoke before AIPAC, someone should have reviewed his speech and advised, if you say this, you must follow through…or else not say it. Abbas and his gang of jihadists challenged America and President Trump saying they would respond violently, and we’ve blinked.

In that part of the world, there are two things they comprehend: strength and might. Vociferously making an assertion and withdrawing from it such as this has lasting ramifications. Yes, dropping a MOAB on ISIS in Afghanistan was really cool, but remember, President Trump gave the authority to our military commander on the ground. Abbas and his cronies will play this statement up as a victory. I would rather have Abu Mazen angry and frustrated…and we need a leader who, if anyone threatens violence against the United States, will respond simply.

I’m your huckleberry.

[Learn more about Allen West’s vision for this nation in his book Guardian of the Republic: An American Ronin’s Journey to Faith, Family and Freedom]