[I agree with some but not all of these points.[
Trump’s new approach to foreign policy could leave Israel twisting in the wind.
By Alexander Griffing, HAARETZ
Donald Trump declares he “will be very good to Israel.” He declares his “closeness to Judaism”. But it didn’t take long on the campaign trail for his ignorance about Israel and the region, and a superabundance of Jewish caricatures, to slip out.
Here are six reasons why Trump’s foreign policy bombast would be bad for Israel – and the Middle East as a whole.
The Middle East is a blank space on the map for him
Trump has been roundly criticized for his lack of foreign policy knowhow. On the Hugh Hewitt show he couldn’t distinguish between Hezbollah and Hamas. On Meet the Press he said he gets most of foreign policy advice “from the shows.” His mendacity on the campaign trail, including claiming he has a foreign policy advisor who isn’t actually advising him, won Trump Politifact’s “Lie of the Year Award,” – not just for a single mistruth but for over 58 false statements made in 2015. But not to worry, when he couldn’t name the basic players in the Middle East, Trump promised Hugh Hewitt that he either wouldn’t need to know or he would learn it all before getting into office. “I will be so good at the military, your head will spin,” he said. Yes Trump is clueless on the ME.
He knows some pretty insulting Jewish stereotypes
Trump’s daughter Ivanka may have converted to Judaism before her wedding, but despite his self-proclaimed “closeness to Judaism,” Trump managed to throw out some pretty anti-Semitic statements when speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition back in December. “You’re not gonna support me even though you know I’m the best thing that could ever happen to Israel,” Trump said. “You’re not going to support me because I don’t want your money. Isn’t it crazy?”
He added, “This room negotiates deals. Perhaps more than any room I’ve ever spoken to.” Yes it was a crazy speech and his reference to negotiators was inappropriate. But everyone missed the true message in this quote. Trump was telling the American left that he won’t be beholden to the Jewish Lobby.
He wants to take Israel’s wall and run with it much much further
Trump regularly cites Israeli policies that already divide the American Jewish community as being both successful and replicable for the United States. He cites “the [separation] wall” in Israel as an example of why the United States should build a wall with Mexico, and has repeatedly called for “taking out the families of terrorists,” one long step further from the Israeli policy of demolishing terrorists’ homes. Israel certainly wouldn’t gain reputationally from this emulation: As Ryan Lizza noted in the New Yorker after attending a Trump rally, “I had never previously been to a political event at which people cheered for the murder of women and children.” If the US under Trump emulates Israeli policy of separation or dealing more harshly with terrorists, it will give cover for Israel’s policies. The American Jews won’t like it but Israelis will. As for “taking out the family of terrorists, Israel will never do that unless he meant taking them out of the country. I don’t believe he wants to kill them as tyhe last quote suggests.
There’d be no anti-ISIS alliance
Under Trump, there’s no doubt the ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis would gain momentum, if not combustion. Many Trump’s critics accuse him of doing ISIS’ work for it by exploiting fear of terrorism and drumming up the kind of anti-Muslim sentiment radical Jihadists leverage to gain support. Trump as president would distance Arab world allies: the UAE and other Arab state billionaires have threatened to divest from the United States under his presidency. And we haven’t started on the likely Trump – Muslim world relationship. As conservative pundit, Mona Charen slammed him in in the National Review’s anti-Trump manifesto: “Where is the center of gravity in a man who in May denounces those who ‘needlessly provoke’ Muslims and in December proposes that we (‘temporarily’) close our borders to all non-resident Muslims?” I believe in the “clash of civilizations” and believe that America must protect their civilization just as Israel is doing. Again the liberal American Jews won’t like it but Israelis will.
He’d outsource Middle East policy to Putin
Trump’s new foreign policy approach is based on the United States making ‘good deals’ and getting “paid back” for protection or intervention abroad. This would end the U.S. “getting screwed over” by having to do the rest of the world’s work for them. It’s several steps away from the familiar American traditions of neoconservative or liberal interventionist policy. As part of this U.S. Interests First approach, he has regularly called for letting Putin, Assad and ISIS fight it out in Syria. America is struggling to find the right balance between isolationism and intervention. Israel is also staying out of the Syrian quagmire. At the same time Israel is cultivating good relations with Russia. I have no problem with America working with Russia. I do have a problem with America working with Iran.
While this line finds a ready audience among some war-weary Americans, U.S. military officials have warned that civilians are bearing the brunt of the over 5,000 airstrikes Russia has carried out since September, which is both further fueling the European refugee crisis and enhancing ISIS’ recruitment message. I disagree on both accounts ; refugees and recruitment. And I don’t care that civilians are getting killed.
Meanwhile, the more the United States gets pushed out of the region, the more Putin and his de-facto allies, especially Iran and Hezbollah, strengthen their position at Israel’s doorstep.
But is it good for Israel? Remember that leading up to the ’67 war, the more Russia supported the Arabs the more the US supported Israel. It may well be that the growing coalition of Iran, Iraq and Russia and Assad may result in strengthening the coalition of Israel, Jordan and the US.
Donald Trump likes to boast about his pro-Israel credentials. One of his favorite lines on the stump is, “I was even the grand marshal for the [NYC] Israeli [sic] Day Parade.” And if that doesn’t sell you, rest assured, he has “won so many awards from Israel” and has “so many friends from Israel.” He promises he “will be very good to Israel.” I ignore this.
When first pushed on whether or not Jerusalem should be Israel’s capital and the U.S. Embassy should be moved there, he waffled and refused to give a clear answer. Last week, while locked in a close battle with Ted Cruz in the polls in Iowa, Trump in an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network, pledged to move the Embassy in a bid to poach Cruz’s Evangelical support. I ignore this.
Historically, the American leaders who have historically best served Israel’s interests were fuelled by ideological motivations. Truman recognized Israel, against the urging of the advisor he believed to be the greatest man alive, George Marshall, because of his Christian faith and deep belief in spreading universal values. America’s patronage of Israel has been based more on ideological and philosophical imperatives, with a dose of clear-sighted pragmatism, than any so-called “Jewish lobby.” All American administrations have supported Arab demands and have put enormous pressure on Israel. Only the American people support Israel but the left in Israel including the liberal Jews oppose Israel’s policies.
Donald Trump has shown no ideological underpinnings, other than “making America great again,” that would ensure he would support Israel in tough times. He’s already shown little backbone in standing up for other states’ independence against larger foes: When pressed on whether or not he believed Ukraine should be a part of NATO, he said he didn’t care. He feels no nostalgia for backing up strategic allies of half-a-century’s standing: “If somebody attacks Japan, we have to immediately go and start World War III, OK? If we get attacked, Japan doesn’t have to help us. Trump will not be as bad as Obama is abandoning friends. He certainly won’t be an enemy of Israel like Obama is. American liberal Jews support Obama totally even though he puts enormous pressure on Israel. Once again, while American Jews prefer Obama, Israelis would prefer Trump. For my money though, Cruz and Rubio would be much better for Israel.
Somehow, that doesn’t sound so fair. Does that sound good?” Trump said. Israel’s fate in terms of its military and strategic dependence on the U.S. would be subject to a kind of erratic opportunism based on Donald Trump’s whims and the latest subjects of his bunker mentality. I don’t believe this at all. Trump will not do less for Israel than Obama is doing.
On the other hand, Trump’s declaration that he has ‘real doubts’ whether Israelis and Palestinians really want peace sounds less unmoored from reality, if not pessimistic about any future peace process: “A lot will have to do with Israel and whether or not Israel wants to make the deal — whether or not Israel’s willing to sacrifice certain things,” Trump said. “They may not be, and I understand that, and I’m OK with that. But then you’re just not going to have a deal.” As long as Trump is willing to let Israel say “no”, I am happy.
Trump’s willing to let Putin run amok in Israel’s backyard; he laments Saddam Hussein’s downfall; and by indicating he would accept the status quo of Israel’s occupation and the lack of negotiations with the Palestinians, he shows how little he’s really invested in the future for democracy in Israel or Palestine. Once again, the author is saying that Trump won’t force Israel to end the occupation and remain democratic. He doesn’t like that but Israelis do but not the left in Israel. So I am good with that.
Trump claims the Bible as his favorite book, but can’t name a verse. So here’s a suggestion for him to get to know, from Proverbs: He who hates, disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not.
Alexander Griffing is the director of digital outreach at Haaretz English edition. He has a master’s degree from Tel Aviv University in political science.
bernard ross Said:
by saying that he doesn’t need their money and they won’t vote for him, he is indirectly saying he won’t owe them anything.i.e. they will have no influence over him. He didn’t say it explicitly but to me the meaning was there.
Otherwise your comment is excellent.
just gave him another vote 🙂
@ Bear Klein:
not canadian. Haaretz did a good job of convincing me to vote for trump but I will make a final decision over time. right now i like him upsetting the cart.
@ bernard ross:Are you a dual citizen Canadian and American?
You said you were voting for Trump??
Just checking not busting your chops.
AND murdoch is for open borders,TPP and HB1 visas throwing americans out of work… the so called conservative station mogul agrees 100% with george soros…. and the GOP establishment
I have the same point of view… one more trumpism one liner that I agree with. If you start with that point of view you will solve the problem. america can solve the problem, but those who make the money dont want it solved.
OK, I’ll bite… lets look at these reasons from……HAARETZ (LOLROF)
most politicians and presidents know nothing about the ME in the US. Hams and Hezbullah are the same practically speaking. All one needs to know is how to kill them and that killing them is a good idea. I think trump will get to that conclusion. He does not pretend to know anything, he jumped in because everyone else is a screw up and unreliable. Lets face it, all those establishement GOP who say they will move the embassy are full of baloney, they all said it before but they are all in the pockets of the saudis and corporatists. Trump might move it because he owes them nothing. He does not need to come with knowledge, just a point of view thats pro Jews in Israel. He can get the details from choosing goo advisors… none of the past BS artists who worked for the GOP. How did the great bush work out? Sharon gave up gaza on the bush letter which ended up having no value.
not anti semitic… perhaps he is right, I dont know who was there.
not anti semitic, author grasping at straws… most Jews would laughingly agree with it, proudly…. its a compliment from Trump, he values good negotiators.
I dont agree, there is no evidence for that… I dont think he has ever referred to a Jewish lobby.
excellent reason to vote for Trump
excellent reason to vote for Trump
they cheered becuase his solutions are meant to be successful not moral sermons
Proving that Trump is flexible to changing circumstances and not bound by PC. Another excellent reason to vote for Trump.
Trump knows that Jews are the Nobel prizewinners and muslims are the honor killers and head choppers… he is a New Yorker… he does not need to know more. the muslims are the liars and the Jews are telling the truth… he knows that…. whereas Bernie does not, and hillary does not care and the GOP will be too busy making money for their donors.
I do not want an ideologue. Trump knows basic right from wrong and THAT is the heart of the issue….
excellent reason to vote for trump as everyone else wants to force Israel to a deal… he doesnt care about a deal, and why should the US care about a deal. Its only mediocre politicians looking for a name or catering to their handlers that keep looking for a deal. No deal is best… leave it only to the pals and Israel and let them duke it out.
pnly leftist haarets type foreign paid moles are concerned about “democracy” in Israel…. only they think there is that problem. I am concerned with no muslim abuse of Jews in Israel which is much more important to me than democracy for the abusers.
Looks like haaretz convinced me to vote for Trump. 😛
Trump is an adulterous pig. Yes he is!!
Cruz has stated publicly that the problem is Muslim hatred of Jews, and that the United States is morally obligated to side with the Jews who want to live rather than the Muslims who want to kill them. No other candidate has demonstrated such clarity.
Rubio is a staunch supporter of Rubio. He possesses zero constancy and eagerly lies to gain advantage. If his consultants had told him that Iowans like Martians, Marco would have painted himself green and attached antennae to his forehead. In the pre-owned vehicle business, grifters like Rubio are known as “odometer adjusters”.
Republicans must choose between one true conservative and a whole field of shlubs. Based on historical precedent, the shrewd wager is to bet on the field. But if GOP voters are touched by the hand of God – meaning that the Lord belatedly slaps some sense into them – it will be Cruz in a landslide.
Anything from Haaretz is DECEPTION 1.0.1. We shall ignore! Trump or Cruz or Rubio will live and let live.
Until the West stops to play its duplicitous game against IL and refuses to tell UN-equivocally to the Pal that they MUST compromise, IL will have no choice put to resist and eventually take over area C once for all.
Procrastination leads to the enemy taking over the initiative.
Rubio is a staunch clear supporter of Israel and a strong US foreign policy!
Trump does not know anything about foreign affairs except that America is getting screwed. He will fix this and “win” till you tell me you are sick of winning”
Who knows what Trump would do. He does not really know the issues.
But he did promise Universal Health Care. So Bernie of him.
Anyone want to respond with criticism of the authors bulleted conjectures. Common… Trump is not in politics and already the author has said He’d outsource Middle East policy to Putin
Please respond with counter examples, of how Cruz would do better to support Israel. Before you white-wash Trump, do take into account that Trump’s daughter lives in Israel, is practicing Shomar Shabbat, and he would not ever allow harm to his daughter or grandchildren.
Trump is a family man. Yes he is!! Also consider he is smart and knows what he is doing to put his opposition off-guard.
I just interlineated my comments in the article.
@ oldjerry:
That is a false choice.
Cruz is the Zionist in the race.
If Trump would not be good for Israel can you give me just one reason that Hillary with her Islamic friends would be better?
One thing for certain, Trump can be expected to do the unexpected. Predictions about him are useless. He is obviously smashing the stranglehold of business as usual Republican oligarchs (and Democrat oligarchs) who know he is out of their control. This ALONE is worth the price of admission.
The article is published in Haaretz. And this is more than enough to reject its conclusions on the spot. Trump, Cruze and Rubio-all of them are good for Israel, because they have common sense.