As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deals with unrest over his recent firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, it appears that he expects Trump’s victory to help him push the international community to take a stronger stance against Iran.
He wrote in a statement to Trump: "Your historic return to the White House represents a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America."
His praise was echoed by incoming Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said he hoped America and Israel would “remain firm in defeating the axis of evil led by Iran.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi wrote that he considered Trump to be “a true friend of Israel” and said he expects him to help bring back Israeli hostages and secure an “absolute victory” against Hamas.
They are far from the only Israelis who think this way. In fact, a survey carried out by the Israel Democracy Institute found that two thirds of Israelis think Trump is going to be better for Israel than Kamala Harris would, with just 13 percent preferring Harris.
Israel’s optimism is supported by Trump’s track record during his last term in office, when he pushed several Israel-friendly policies, such as the Abraham Accords. In addition, he was the first American president to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which most countries have refused to do, and even moved the American embassy to Jerusalem.
Ultra-nationalist Israeli ministers express enthusiasm over Trump's victory
However, the enthusiasm over Trump’s victory among ultra-nationalist Israeli ministers is a huge cause for concern. For example, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is in favor of settlements, wrote “Yesssss” on X.
In July, Ben Gvir told Bloomberg that he considered a Trump victory something that would benefit the Jewish state, noting: “With Trump it will be clearer that enemies must be defeated.”
He added: "The US has always stood behind Israel in terms of armaments and weapons, yet this time the sense was that we were being reckoned with -- that we were trying to be prevented from winning...That happened on Biden's watch and fed Hamas with lots of energy."
One of the most vocal ultra-nationalist ministers, Bezalel Smotrich, who is considered the leader of the annexation of Palestinian territory, wrote about Trump's victory: “God bless Israel. God bless America.”
Israel’s settler movement wants to expand the communities they’ve built in the occupied West Bank, and some suspect they intend to eventually move into Gaza as well. Some of them have been sanctioned by the Biden administration, whereas Trump drafted plans during his first term as president to make West Bank settlements an official part of Israel.
It isn’t yet clear if Trump’s new administration will take the same stance toward Israel as his administration did the first time around, especially with Israel currently embroiled in a war that could end up drawing the U.S. in directly and creating untold problems.
Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that he would like to see the conflict end before his inauguration in January, although he was quoted as telling him to “do what you have to do” to defend Israel during a phone call two weeks ago. It's not clear right now how he'll handle the situation or where it will stand when he takes office.
In Gaza, there are mixed feelings, with some people expecting Trump to continue to support Israel the way Biden did and others hopeful he’ll be able to pressure Netanyahu into stopping the war.
Sources for this article include:
MiddleEastEye.net
Reuters.com
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