Trump’s roadmap to a Jewish State

Israeli Prime Minister and accused war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the United States, becoming the first foreign leader to meet the new American President, Donald Trump. Netanyahu’s visit comes after a resounding defeat in the Gaza Strip and amid a deeply divided Israeli society – not only due to the disastrous outcome of the war against Hamas and the growing rift between secular and ultra-religious Israelis, but primarily because Netanyahu deceived the public and shifted blame for his failures onto others, including Israel’s sacred institution, the Israeli army.

What results might arise from the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump? Netanyahu is a vindictive individual, and Trump values personal loyalty in his diplomacy. He openly stated that Netanyahu betrayed him after his loss in the previous presidential election, and he will neither forget nor forgive that. However, pro-Israel donors like Miriam Adelson, along with the wider pro-Israel lobby, exert considerable influence over Trump’s regional decisions. Thus, even if the meeting turns contentious, Trump aims to show his pro-Israel lobby and Israelis in general that he prioritises their interests more than their own embattled prime minister.

The fragile Arab situation is in a great mess. Some of the most influential Arab countries where the Palestinian issue is concerned, such as Egypt and Jordan, are dependent on American financial assistance, while others – such as the Gulf countries, are dependent on American military support. The psychologically defeated Palestinian official leadership is cooperating with the Israeli occupation to fight their own countrymen in Jenin and other West Bank cities instead of putting an end to illegal Jewish settler rampage. Mahmoud Abbas, who is talking about enforcing law and order in the West Bank, was pleading to foreign nations in the United Nations to protect the Palestinian people under his own jurisdiction.

Read: Politics or empty rhetoric? Trump’s call for ethnic cleansing in Gaza

These factors allow Trump to easily sacrifice the Palestinian people on the altar of his personal ego and interests. After all, who will hold him accountable for that? The bully mentality driving Trump’s actions makes him flex his muscles before the weak and retreat when there’s a price to pay.

His shameless attempt to extort $500 billion from Saudi Arabia in exchange for his first foreign visit, along with his threats to allies like Canada and European nations to seize their land, reflects pathetic, gang-like governance. No one is spared from his reckless policies and thuggish intimidation. A growing, suppressed anger is building against America – not just in Russia and China, but also in North America, including Canada and Mexico, in Europe, and even within Arab countries.

The real question might be: What do Netanyahu and his backers expect from Trump? Many Israelis are dissatisfied with the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which was achieved following pressure from Trump on Netanyahu, and they are now anticipating some form of compensation. They understand that American presidents, especially Trump, generally show little regard for the United Nations or international law, acting as they see fit. Therefore, offering the right incentives will likely lead him to fulfill Israel’s aspirations. Trump has a track record in this area, having moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem and recognised Israel’s occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights as legal, despite UN resolutions to the contrary.

What more do they expect from him? The three key demands they likely have are centred on solidifying their role as the region’s self-proclaimed leaders. First, they seek his help in normalising relations with major Muslim countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, as this is essential before achieving their ultimate diplomatic goal: normalising ties with Saudi Arabia.

Second, they want to isolate Iran through a maximum pressure campaign, punish the Houthis, and finally fulfill their long-standing ambition of transforming Palestine into a Jewish state by ethnically cleansing Palestinians not only from the Gaza Strip but also from the West Bank.

Read: Making America great again by ethnically cleansing the Palestinian people

All these objectives might not be immediately attainable, given the complexity of regional dynamics and the shifting nature of international alliances. However, Netanyahu would be highly focused on securing at least a solid promise, if not a detailed road map, from Trump to move toward achieving these goals. A commitment, even if only verbal, would provide Netanyahu with political leverage back home, allowing him to present the illusion of progress to his supporters and deflect attention from his failures.

However, when it comes to Trump, nothing is certain, as the Palestinians may not be the easy target he assumes, and Arab nations could perceive his manoeuvres as an existential threat, choosing to resist his agenda. Trump’s unpredictable behaviour and habit of acting according to personal interests or shifting political tides mean that any commitments he makes could be quickly overturned. It wouldn’t be shocking if Trump abruptly changed course and retracted his promises, leaving Netanyahu’s ambitious plans in shambles. With a history of transactional dealings, Trump frequently discards allies when they no longer benefit his objectives. Despite Netanyahu’s political savvy, he risks becoming yet another victim of this recurring pattern.

After all, this is often the fate of those who rely on others to carry out their dirty work. Depending on external forces, especially those as volatile as Trump, is a dangerous gamble. Ultimately, Netanyahu’s dreams could very well turn to ashes, a harsh reminder of the perils of overdependence on unreliable allies.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.