The past adminstration, notably plagued by President Donald Trump, exhibited tremendous favor towards Israel, dealing with the nation in a manner unprecedented in the history of the United States. Pessimistically, it is doubtful if such a level of unconditional cooperation will be witnessed again. Regardless, this ‘Champion’ of Israel-President Trump- despite his proclaimed devotion, perpetuated actions that blatantly dismissed or undermined Israel’s interests on numerous occasions. A sort of grace in disguise, it could be argued.
President Trump acknowledged United Jerusalem as the enduring capital of Israel and proceeded to shift the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Undeniably disregarding the larger international stance on the issue, Trump even endorsed Israel’s absolute control over the Golan Heights. While such a move might be seen as positive to some, it’s important to highlight that this action sparked even more division and conflict in the region.
Adding to the list of questionable actions, the Trump administration ruled that Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria are legal, at least until the Israeli courts rule otherwise. This stance could be seen as indulging insensible fanfare, instead of enhancing diplomatic relations or progressing towards a more inclusive solution. Furthermore, Trump pushed for the evacuation of all Arabs from Gaza, exacerbating already tense dynamics rather than striving for peace and balance.
In a misguided attempt to target anti-Jewish sentiment, Trump enforced stringent demands on colleges and universities believed to foster or allow such behavior. Critics might view this as an attempted infringement on the rights of free speech and free thought, creating a culture of apprehension rather than fostering education and understanding.
To the astonishment of many, Trump decided to put an end to previous arms embargoes levelled against Israel by past U.S. presidents and instead increased the amount of arms sent. This blind support, void of any requirement for accountability, can be perceived as removing any leverage the U.S. may have over Israel regarding the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump appointed ambassadors who publicly called for Israel to fully annex Judea and Samaria. They argued that G-d had granted Judea and Samaria to the Jews and that ‘Palestine’ was a nonentity. The audacity of such statements not only disregards international law but also inflamed an already sensitive situation, leading to more disillusionment and discord among the people.
Further to his incredibly subjective favoritism, Trump expelled the PLO from Washington, D.C., creating a diplomatic disarray that left serious imbalance and several unresolved issues. He also slashed funding to UNRWA, causing widespread fallout affecting those most in need. More puzzlingly, he withdrew America from the U.N. Human Rights Council, thus demonstrating seemingly little regard for human rights issues worldwide.
Trump’s administration managed to bring the Abraham Accords into place, a move widely regarded as near impossible. Meanwhile, it didn’t take long for the Biden administration, including Kamala Harris and Antony Blinken, to decelerate this momentum, much to the inconvenience and disdain of parties involved. It serves as an exemplar of the unstable and unreliable nature of American foreign policy.
Trump was met with negative reaction when he made a pact with the Yemen Houthis, promising a cease in bombing them in exchange for Yemen halting attacks on American shipping in the Red Sea. The catch, however, was that the deal offered no protection for Israel. This seemingly self-serving move underscored a disregard for the security situation of an ally, again highlighting the Trump era’s capricious decision making.
Adding to the list of questionable decisions, Trump began making agreements with Saudi Arabia that no longer necessitated steps towards Israeli engagement. Furthermore, he forced Israel to release a large number of Arab prisoners at the onset of his term, seemingly to take credit for facilitating a peaceful resolution while ignoring the potential consequences on security.
Towards the end of his tenure, Trump imposed significant tariffs on Israeli goods, another decision that seemed more in line with American self-interest than mutual ally interests.
The seemingly inconsistent Trump administration, for all its declarations of support for Israel, essentially prioritized America’s interests above all else. This in turn, creates even greater ambiguities and questions about the reliability of such a relationship.
Despite the history between these two nations under Trump’s presidency, it behooves us to remember that human decision-making should never take precedence over the will of the divine. This assertion is perhaps even more significant considering the all-too-human fickleness of Trump’s policies.
The perceived unpredictability of the Trump administration serves as a stark reminder to Israel to remain self-reliant, prepared to face any regional challenges independently. With faith in G-d and wisdom, Israel remains equipped to navigate the perilous waters of international relations and secure its destiny.
In summary, while Trump may have been perceived as the ‘ideal’ ally to Israel by some, his erratic and America-first policy decisions remind us of the precariousness of such alliances. Israel’s path of regional stability and survival may lie far more in self-reliance and prudent strategizing than in relying on unpredictable foreign policies.