https://mishpacha.com/no-permanent-friends/
In his major speech in Riyadh on May 13, President Trump emphasized that he does not believe in permanent enemies. But the flip side of that statement, as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has surely deduced, is that he also does not believe in permanent friends. Thus, the assurance that Trump will always have Israel’s back is one upon which Israel cannot afford to rely.
https://mishpacha.com/divine-delusions/
One implication of Trump’s unique status is that Israel finds itself in a fragile position when he’s in office. He was an outstanding supporter when in office the first time around. This time, he’s kept the munitions tap open. But as Trump confirmed last week, he’s keeping Israel’s government on a short leash when it comes to Gaza and Iran.
And unlike the days of Obama and Biden, there’s nowhere to turn to challenge the president. Barring some honorable exceptions, the Democrats are more or less toxic on Israel. And the Republicans? Yes, they’re pro-Israel, but more than they are pro-Israel, they’re pro-Trump.
Donald Trump has become a value in and of himself to vast numbers of his supporters. He has become the arbiter of Republicanism. If he turns on Israel, so will they.
So, all the rumblings of Israeli right-wingers that Bibi needs to show some spine and defy Uncle Sam are wrong. Bibi has done the wise thing: kept quiet and tried to influence the administration behind the scenes. Openly opposing the White House worked to a degree under Biden, when there was a political bloc predisposed to be anti-Biden and pro-Israel.
But with a monarchical president, the number of American politicians currently minded to defy Trump in support of Israel is close to zero.
Unfortunately it's not enough. It is also the product of a limited worldview of support for right wing Israeli policies. Show me when the frum pundits assail Trump for demonizing immigrants, bullying political opponents into submission, destroying the economy with tariffs, causing deaths by shutting USAID without warning and slashing federal investment in health research and staffing of national parks and hurricane center. Its time we develop a broader worldview with true civic responsibility and appreciation for democratic norms
ReplyDeleteDumb pundits who are predictably wrong on every issue.
ReplyDeleteFrom a fellow who never voted for orange hair but begrudgingly has come to admire his policies