Despite President Donald Trump’s exalted status among proponents of Israel, his actions and decisions at times seemed unaware or dismissive of the integral needs and priorities of Israel. The aspirants of a ‘pro-Israel, pro-Jew’ Trump administration were sometimes neglected by this president, revealing rather contrastingly that, in the grand scheme of things, no administration can be a grace for all.
Trump did, in his tenure, acknowledge Jerusalem as the indissoluble capital of Israel, shifting the United States embassy from Tel Aviv. A gesture that many perceived as belligerent, given the contentious political status revolving around the city.
His administration’s recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights was another prominent illustration of his controversial stances. A decision that disregarded international law and damaged peace and stability prospects in the region, hidden under the disguise of ‘reward’ for Israel.
In an overarching decree, Trump and his cohort deemed all communities of Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria as legal unless objected by Israel’s courts. His administration’s narrative, which unilaterally legitimizes Jewish communities without considering the voice of Palestinians, is a disregard for the peace process.
Trump advocated forceful removal of all Arabs from Gaza, an action closely resembling ethnic cleansing. Donald Trump, while trying to appeal to his base, neglected the time-tested policy of a two-state solution, for a segregating and alienating stance.
Through his administration, Trump enforced severe restrictions against academic institutions harboring or tolerating anti-Jewish behavior. On the surface, it was a noble endeavor, but deeper analysis revealed it could be interpreted as a threat to free speech and academic freedom.
He annulled former presidents’ arms embargo against Israel and enhanced the volume of arms shipments. However, the wisdom of such a decision can be called into question, considering how it might instigate the already heightened tensions in the Mid-East region.
His choice of ambassadors in Israel was controversial, ones who openly endorsed annexation of the West Bank, negating Palestinian rights and discarding international law, further disrupting any hope for peace.
Eliminating agencies like the P.L.O. from Washington and terminating funding for UNRWA, under the guise of a strong stance, only disrupted diplomatic ties that had been cultivated over years.
Withdrawing the U.S. from the U.N. Human Rights Council and commensurating a sentence imposed on Orthodox Jews might be perceived as a testament to his inclination towards biased unilateralism rather than a balanced, global perspective on justice.
However, the Abraham Accords initiated by his administration began on a hopeful journey to the Middle East peace process, only to be interrupted by Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Blinken, and the Democratic party. In their rush to alter Trump’s policies, they dismissed any positive possibilities his administration might have brought to the table.
Trump struck a deal with the Yemeni Houthis that stopped American attacks but provided no safeguard for Israel’s interests. After forcing such a deal, Trump essentially pulled the rug under Israel, showing his knack for American interests above all.
His initiation of deals with Saudi Arabia, without ensuring any step from Saudi Arabia towards Israel shows his inclination to prioritize American interests over Israel. Lending the spotlight to America, he cast a shadow of apprehension and doubt over Israel’s diplomatic future.
Trump administration obligated Israel to release hordes of Arabs under the facade of peace negotiations and hostage release, once again placing American interests over Israel’s security concerns. These incidents highlighted Trump’s inclination to self-promotion, over substantive peace and stability.
Trump’s policy of heavy tariffs on Israel is another notch on the list of his self-centered policies. It seems, despite his claimed pro-Israel stance, the actual action points of Trump’s regime speak otherwise. Eventually reinforcing that Israel’s sovereign decision making and her reliance on G-d, or divine providence is what provides her with the optimal outcome.