Might be Nothing, But…
That US president Donald Trump is, by any measure, the most supportive president in the history of the modern state of Israel is a given. Even those who detest him and have nothing (else) positive to say about him will not refute this. For many, this is not enough to absolve him of being all the negative things that are said about him. For others, the negative things do not matter in the face of his unprecedented presidential support.
I fall into the category of the latter. I have touched on this subject before, so no need to elaborate on how I got there. Something I have also touched on in the past is the contrast between Trump’s support for us as a state and a people in contrast with his predecessors. For as long as I can remember – going back to Richard Nixon’s presidency, I guess – presidents and various White House and State Department officials regularly touted their administrations’ “ironclad and unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.” The Trump administration showed what that meant, and so never needed to verbally reinforce some act of assistance provided to Israel.
And then…
Reports surfaced this week suggesting that the US and Iran may be close to a deal. The Americans are very positive about getting it done, and what it means for the region. Israel has not been as positive. The concern here is that it will leave too much for figuring out later – such as Iran’s missile capabilities, and their support for proxies. It appears to have some wiggle room for Iran to continue to be a threat, either by what the deal provides, or the opportunity for Iran to violate it. In short, it is not what Jerusalem had envisioned as the agreement that would end the conflict. A neutered Iran and a more secure Israel was what we expected to be the result of what Trump calls a deal, but what the Iranians (more accurately) call surrender. This led to a conversation between Trump and Netanyahu that was reported by the press to be heated, but that the two maintained was cordial and respectful. Differences were spelled out and clarified, and assurances were made that this would be good for all. Israel would maintain its right to self-defense in the event of further attacks from other fronts, and so we were to be reassured.
Netanyahu took to addressing the nation, and, along with an explanation of the situation, thanked President Trump for “his unwavering support for Israel’s security”.
OK, it did not come from the White House or the State Department; it was we who said it, and we should say it, because we are indeed grateful. Furthermore, it is possible that Trump knows he is going to have to resume military action, but is doing the utmost to avoid it, and still achieve Iranian capitulation to US and Israel demands.
We only have the information we have, so speculation becomes the day’s activity. I like to speculate that while there are differences and concerns between Israel and America, Trump is deliberately being outspoken and contradictory in order to mislead and confuse the enemy.
And not us.
