Trump’s goal has always been clear

Avi Abelow

President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017 (Photo by U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv – President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017 President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017, CC BY 2.0)

Anyone listening to the mainstream media right is in panic mode that Trump is distancing himself from Israel, and thinking we are about to be dumped by him.

Honestly, I’m not worried. And I don’t think anyone should be.

Despite the media’s latest manufactured frenzy claiming a “crack” in the Trump-Netanyahu relationship, anyone who understands Trump knows never to take his words literally.

Everything he says is part of the ‘art of the deal’. His style is to shake the tree and see what falls — and he always does what he believes is best for America. But make no mistake: he and his team know that Israel is America’s only trustworthy ally in the Middle East.

More important than that, Trump is pushing us to grow up — to become more independent, more sovereign, and more unapologetic in doing what’s right for Israel, regardless of whether it gets a stamp of approval from Washington.

And that’s a blessing, not even in disguise.

Because one way or another, the day is coming when we won’t have U.S. backing. We must be prepared. We must be strong. We must be self-reliant.

As one Congressman told me in a private meeting in D.C. a few months ago, “We have a year and a half to make Israel as independent as possible in every way, because we might lose the house or Senate, and future administrations are going to be horrible to Israel.” And he said that because he believes a strong, sovereign Israel is in America’s long-term strategic foreign policy interests.

And just in case you need official reassurance, listen to what U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said just recently today, as he was sent by President Trump himself to address the media storm from Jerusalem:

“The strategic alliance between Jerusalem and Washington is ironclad, and it’s important to both countries. There is no confrontation, no dispute, no distancing. The president made that clear. The U.S. is not backing away from its concern for Israel — on the contrary. President Trump is the president who has done more than any of his predecessors for Israel. He asked me to state this clearly. Let me remind you: he released for Israel everything the previous administration held back.”

Huckabee said even more:

“Yes, I said the U.S. doesn’t need Israel’s approval for its decisions — but they left out the second part: Israel doesn’t need America’s approval either. Israel is a sovereign nation, and we respect that.”

So let the media scream. Let them try to stir division where there is none. Trump’s goal has always been clear: Make America strong. And help Israel become strong enough to stand on its own.

That’s not a crisis. That’s a gift.

Let’s use it!!!