Netanyahu’s Potential Support for Trump or Harris Explained
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly leaning towards supporting Donald Trump’s potential return to the U.S. presidency, with many in Israel hopeful that Trump would implement policies favorable to the nation. In contrast, Biden’s administration has taken a more critical approach to Netanyahu’s strategies, leading analysts to speculate that a Trump victory would give Netanyahu increased diplomatic leeway.
Netanyahu’s Hopes for Trump’s Return
Political analysts believe that Netanyahu sees Trump’s presidency as a strategic opportunity, as the former president’s previous term was marked by policies advantageous to Israel. Despite Trump’s mixed stances on the Middle East, including fluctuating comments on Israel’s defense policies, Netanyahu remains optimistic about Trump’s possible return to power.
- Mixed Signals from Trump: Recently, Trump has alternated between advocating for strong military responses, such as targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, and critiquing Netanyahu for incidents like the October 7 attack, suggesting such events wouldn’t happen under his leadership. Despite the ambivalence, Netanyahu sees Trump as a valuable ally.
- Analysts’ Insights: Gidon Rahat, a political science professor at Hebrew University, noted, “One of Netanyahu’s milestones is the U.S. election. He is praying for a Trump victory, which he thinks will give him a lot of freedom of movement.” Former chief of staff Aviv Bushinsky added, “His experience with Republicans is very good… unlike with the Democrats who are much tougher on him.”
A Longstanding Alliance with Trump
During Trump’s presidency, Netanyahu saw an era of strong support from the U.S. that included impactful moves like:
- Key Diplomatic Moves: Trump relocated the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and facilitated normalized relations between Israel and three Arab nations.
- Iran Nuclear Deal Withdrawal: Trump’s exit from the Iran nuclear deal, along with severe sanctions against Iran, reinforced his stance as a committed supporter of Israel.
Biden’s Differing Approach
In contrast to Trump, President Joe Biden has taken a more restrained approach, often openly critical of some of Netanyahu’s policies, particularly on strikes targeting Iran. Nonetheless, Biden continues to emphasize his “ironclad support” for Israel, balancing his administration’s relationship with the nation.
Polls and Public Opinion in Israel
Trump’s popularity in Israel is notable, with recent polling from the Israel Institute for Regional Foreign Policies (Mitvim) showing 68% of Israelis believe Trump would serve Israel’s interests better than Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered only 14% support despite her pro-Israel stance.
Palestinian Skepticism Towards U.S. Election Outcomes
While Netanyahu and many Israelis appear eager for Trump’s return, Palestinians remain skeptical of both U.S. candidates. They express doubt that either candidate would bring meaningful change to U.S.-Israel relations, viewing both as predominantly pro-Israel.
