Trump Changes Course with Israel

[Carmen Elsa Irarragorri Wyland]

Israel — the only democratic country in the Middle East — had long been America’s closest ally. That is, until Barack Obama came along.

At one point, Obama publicly declared that the U.S. “does not accept the legitimacy” of Israeli settlements. On another occasion, Obama gave a major foreign policy speech to the U.N., calling for Israel to accept the two-state solution with pre-1967 borders, which would make Israel indefensible. As Mitt Romney said after a visit to Israel in 2012 when he was running for president, Obama “threw Israel under the bus.”

President, Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, on the other hand, stood on the front steps of the White House and greeted Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife.

Reactions from the alt-left media portrayed the meeting between the two democratic world leaders as a cartoonish sort of “bromance,” referring to Trump and Netanyahu as “chummy partners.”

There were a few mildly awkward moments during their meeting. The two hadn’t yet discussed the hot-potato issue of Israeli settlements, when, during a dual press conference, Trump looked over at Netanyahu and said in a very affable way, “I’d like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit.” To which Netanyahu, who was clearly caught off-guard, said “We’ll see,” setting the room off in laughter.

Before Netanyahu left to return to Israel, he got a few assurances from President Trump. Trump asserted that Obama’s nuclear deal with the Iranians was a disaster, calling Iran the world’s most dangerous enemy. President Trump also said that he would “love” to see the U.S. Embassy moved to Jerusalem and that he will defend Israel to the U.N. (something Obama never did).

Netanyahu appeared optimistic about renewed US/Israel relations, saying to Trump; “Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam.”

The most earth-shattering moment during the meeting was regarding U.S. support of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. In two sentences, Trump blew away a position the U.S. has held for more than a quarter of a century.

“I’m looking at two state and one state, and I like the one that both parties like,” Trump said. “If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I’m happy with the one they like the best.”

It is truly a brave, new world.