Trump and Israel in a Second Term

Donald Trump undoubtedly had one of the most pro-Israel records of a U.S. president in history, and arguably the most pro-Israel. But it’s unclear how similar his policy would be in a second term given that personnel will be different, he’s lamented that Jews have been ungrateful by not voting for him, and he’s complained that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined other world leaders in congratulating Joe Biden after the 2020 election while Trump was still claiming it was stolen. So, as Biden turns increasingly hostile toward Israel, most recently betraying Israel at the United Nations, it’s worth considering what a second Trump term might look like. Unfortunately, in an interview with the Israeli publication Israel Hayom, Trump offered mixed signals.

At the outset, Trump was unequivocal when asked how he would have reacted had he faced the atrocities of October 7. “I would say I would act very much the same way as you did,” he said to the Israeli journalists. “You would have to be crazy not to. Only a fool would not do that. That was a horrible attack.”

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Philip Klein

Philip Klein is the editor of National Review Online.

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Donald Trump undoubtedly had one of the most pro-Israel records of a U.S. president in history, and arguably the most pro-Israel. But it’s unclear how similar his policy would be in a second term given that personnel will be different, he’s lamented that Jews have been ungrateful by not voting for him, and he’s complained that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined other world leaders in congratulating Joe Biden after the 2020 election while Trump was still claiming it was stolen. So, as Biden turns increasingly hostile toward Israel, most recently betraying Israel at the United Nations, it’s worth considering what a second Trump term might look like. Unfortunately, in an interview with the Israeli publication Israel Hayom, Trump offered mixed signals.

At the outset, Trump was unequivocal when asked how he would have reacted had he faced the atrocities of October 7. “I would say I would act very much the same way as you did,” he said to the Israeli journalists. “You would have to be crazy not to. Only a fool would not do that. That was a horrible attack.”