Sadly, even Israel’s mainstream media has published opinion pieces by left wing pundits that have fallen victim to
this kind of reflexive reaction. Increasingly, we’re seeing articles
questioning Trump’s loyalty to Israel, suggesting that in his second term, his
priorities have shifted and that Israel is, at best, being ignored, if not
outright abandoned. These articles argue that Trump’s agenda is no longer
aligned with Israel’s agenda.
One of the so-called indicators of this alleged divergence
is Trump’s apparent willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran - one
that might not differ that much from the Obama-era deal he once vehemently
rejected. A policy that aligned perfectly with Israel’s stance at the time.
Now, some commentators point to Trump’s willingness to negotiate with Iran as evidence
that the U.S. and Israeli agendas are drifting apart. (There are other such ‘indicators’
as well.)
Israel's primary concern, understandably, is how all of this
impacts upon its war with Hamas - the tactics, the goals, and the outcome.
Critics of Netanyahu (including many of our own coreligionists) seem thrilled at
the possibility that one hated leader, the president, is now turning against
Netanyahu, their other hated leader. That Trump’s run out of patience, with
Netanyahu, his tactics and goals. And that now Trump seeks an end to the
bloodshed and an end to the so-called starvation of all those ‘innocent’ Gaza
Palestinians.
One might be tempted to believe this, given the flood of
commentary and op-eds interpreting recent events, presidential rhetoric and deeds.
Except that it isn’t true. Here’s why.
One of the defining features of the Trump administration is
the premium he places on loyalty. For Trump, loyalty often outweighs
competence. The moment someone in his circle publicly contradicts him or
diverges from his policies, they’re dismissed—effectively vaporized from their
role. Conversely, he rewards loyalty, which is why his Secretary of State,
Marco Rubio was also given the role of National Security Advisor.
I need no repeat how pro-Israel Rubio is to this day. That Trump
has full confidence in Rubio and his loyalty to him means that Trump is
probably just as pro-Israel as Rubio. But for those that still need convincing…
When asked by the media recently about Trump’s relationship
with Netanyahu, Rubio emphasized that they share the same objectives: Hamas
must be destroyed, the hostages released, and Gaza must be emptied of
Palestinians in the short term so it can be rebuilt. Whether Israel or the U.S.
ultimately takes the lead in that process is a detail to be worked out later.
What matters is that both nations are aligned on the war effort and on an end
goal that assures Israel’s security. Which in the short term means Palestinians
NOT controlling Gaza.
Loyalty is also the primary requirement for any U.S.
ambassador appointed by Trump - including the U.S. ambassador to Israel. So if
someone wants to understand the Trump administration’s true stance on
Netanyahu’s approach to the war against Hamas, consider the words of Ambassador
Mike Huckabee as reported at VIN:
In a scathing rebuke directed at some of America’s closest allies, Huckabee compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Allied bombing campaigns of World War II. He slammed European leaders for what he described as “disgusting hypocrisy.” In an intense interview with NPR, Huckabee criticized Britain, France, and Canada for condemning Israel’s military campaign as “wholly disproportionate” and accused them of blaming the wrong side.
“I’m outraged,” he said. “The prolonged suffering for everybody is on Hamas, and I’m outraged that the U.K., Canada, France—they’re blaming the wrong perpetrator.”
He then drew a parallel to history, invoking the Allied bombings of German cities during World War II. “What hypocrisy,” he said, “to say that those bombings—which ended the war and stopped the Nazi threat—were justified, but Israel defending itself against an existential threat should be condemned.”
His message to European leaders was direct:
“They ought to just go back and maybe take 10th grade civics and refresh themselves.”
Could not agree more. Have pretty much said the same things myself. Many times!
Now, I’d like to address one final point. A thoughtful and
intelligent commentator - someone I deeply respect even though we often
disagree recently described Huckabee as an evangelical clown with no relevance
or credibility. That, therefore, his personal opinions don’t matter.
I must respectfully disagree. Whether one agrees with him or not, Huckabee’s statement was neither stupid nor irrelevant. Dismissing it ignores the reality that loyalty is the currency of influence in the Trump administration. Huckabee’s words reflect not just his opinion, but a broader sentiment that likely aligns with Trump’s position.
And that’s something the media - even in Israel - seems all too willing to ignore.
