I hate Trump for America. I love Trump for Israel.

I struggle today with my feelings toward the presidency of Donald Trump.  I am a loyal American who also is a proud and passionate supporter of Israel.  Since the start of the Gaza War, and certainly over the last few years, I have wondered about my feelings toward Trump and the diametrically opposed nature of these thoughts.

There is a long-held antisemitic trope in the United States – held by some or many — that American Jews are secretly more loyal to Israel than to the United States.  “Dual loyalty” – as it is called – argues that certain Jews have a loyalty to Israel that may be part of a “hidden agenda” held by Jews to the detriment of America.  The American Jewish Committee notes – in a particularly timely way – that “dual loyalty accusations also occur on U.S. college campuses when Jewish students are asked to denounce the actions of the Israeli government in order to participate in progressive activities.”

As a Jew growing up in America, I was made aware of this antisemitic smear.  It came up in subtle ways – particularly in news coverage and discussions of politics.  But it was “in the background” and I never was exposed to lengthy discussions or even comprehensive articles about it.

Donald Trump, since he became a politician, has dabbled in the usage of the “dual loyalty” trope in a variety of ways.  Google “Trump” and “antisemitic statements” and you will find — more than perhaps you care to read – Trump making the argument that some and/or many Jews are disloyal to America and/or more loyal to Israel.

WHY I HATE TRUMP FOR AMERICA

Now he is president again, and already, within just several weeks, he is taking actions that are dangerous to millions of Americans and he is challenging the idea of America as a democracy.

1) His administration is flirting with not abiding by judicial rulings challenging the long-held and fundamental idea that America has three co-equal branches of government.

2) He is trying to purge the FBI of 5,000 or so employees who had any connection to the investigation of his alleged crimes to overthrow democracy in the U.S. on January 6, 2021.

3) He is trying to redefine birthright citizenship in the United States which is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

4) He has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.

5) Despite there being no evidence, Trump claims he wants to imprison his political “enemies’ for having the temerity to question him or his previous actions.

6) In a classic “shoot first, then aim” reckless move, Trump and his administration fired 300 workers who they subsequently found were working on America’s nuclear weapons program.  (They are trying to rehire them.)

7) Trump appears to be ready to sell American ally Ukraine “down the river” having already rescued Russia and Putin from international pariah status.

8) He is demonizing immigrants and, as Jews, do we have to recite Martin Niemoller’s famous quotation about living in Nazi Germany?  You know, the part where he says: “Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.”

Simply put – and the list above could have been much longer – I HATE TRUMP FOR AMERICA.

WHY I LOVE TRUMP FOR ISRAEL

Yet, as a Jew, it’s hard for me to argue that he has been anything but an incredibly supportive U.S. president when it comes to Israel.  As much as I revile him, I must list out some of the good things he has done for Israel.

1) He has moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

2) He has recognized the annexation of the Golan Heights.

3) His administration guided the Abraham Accords which formally extends peace between Israel and its neighbors to greater lengths.

4) Trump has been 100% against Hamas and 100% pro-Israel since October 7^th.

5) He is pulling the U.S. out of the United Nations Human Rights Council which has been a cesspool for anti-Israel propaganda.

6) He is cutting off U.S. funding for UNWRA.

7) Trump approved the shipment of MK-84 heavy bombs to Israel that Biden had suspended.

8) Trump, though his ideas may be fantastical and heretical to some if not many, has broadened the discussion about what to do regarding the Palestinians and with Gaza.

Simply put – and the list above also could have been longer – I LOVE TRUMP FOR ISRAEL.

I certainly do not agree with everything Trump says or does regarding Israel.  Most recently, I am sickened by his dabbling in discussing “ethnic cleansing” regarding displacing all Gaza residents.  But as a passionate supporter of Israel, it’s hard to argue his administration is not better for Israel than the previous administration.

So, now, I find myself asking some tough questions:

• Is it ok for me to have such diametrically opposed feelings?
• Is my disgust with the actions related to America stronger than my delight with his actions related to Israel?
• Conversely, do I appreciate more his actions for Israel than I abhor what he is doing in America?
• Do I need to reconcile these two feelings?
• Am I, somehow, guilty of having a “dual loyalty?”
• I love him for Israel, yet I hate him for America. Can these two things be true at the same?

Tell me what you think.