Netanyahu's Ambitious Hope for a Trump Comeback

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Trump's recent statements regarding his Middle East strategy have been inconsistent. While he encouraged military action against Iran's nuclear capabilities, he also criticized Netanyahu, suggesting the October 7 attack on Israel would not have occurred under his watch. Despite this ambiguity, analysts believe Netanyahu views a Trump victory as a chance for enhanced freedom in addressing regional challenges.

"One of Netanyahu's key priorities is the U.S. election. He is hoping for a Trump win, which he believes would provide him with significant maneuverability," said Gidon Rahat, a political science professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Aviv Bushinsky, a political commentator and former chief of staff to Netanyahu, echoed this sentiment, noting Netanyahu's favorable experiences with Republican administrations compared to Democrats.

During his 17 years in office, Netanyahu's relationship with Trump has been particularly close. Trump's presidency saw significant shifts in U.S. policy, including relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. These moves bolstered Netanyahu's standing domestically, while Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposition of sanctions against Tehran aligned with Israeli interests.

In contrast, President Joe Biden's relationship with Netanyahu has been more strained, despite Biden’s stated commitment to Israel's security. Biden has publicly cautioned against military strikes on Iran, diverging from Trump’s approach.

Public sentiment in Israel also favors Trump. A recent poll indicated that 68% of Israelis believe Trump would best serve their nation's interests, compared to only 14% for Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, a potential Trump administration may bring its own set of uncertainties. Nadav Tamir, a former Israeli diplomat, warned that Trump’s growing alliance with isolationist Republicans might complicate U.S. leadership on the global stage.

Amidst this political landscape, Palestinians express skepticism toward both candidates. Khalil Shikaki, a Palestinian political scientist, highlighted a general distrust in U.S. leadership. Many Palestinians believe that regardless of the election outcome, their situation will remain unchanged, with ongoing support for Israel from U.S. administrations.

"American elections won't improve our political reality," said Leen Bassem, a 21-year-old student in the West Bank, reflecting a broader sentiment of disillusionment with the prospects for peace and change.