Opinions Among Israelis Vary on Trump’s Victory
Members of Netanyahu’s circle see the new U.S. president as aligning better with Israel’s needs, while some on the left caution that Trump may go his own way.
In Israel, reactions to Donald Trump’s election victory ranged from jubilation on the right to discomfort and fear on the left and among Palestinians, reflecting the country’s political divides.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among the first to congratulate Trump, posted on social media, “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!”
Benny Gantz, an opposition leader who shared the prime minister position with Netanyahu from 2020 to 2021, also congratulated Trump. On social media, Gantz praised Trump as “a true friend of Israel who has already proven this in his actions.”
Gantz highlighted Trump’s accomplishments, such as signing the Abraham Accords, recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, and relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank, greeted Trump’s victory with a conciliatory tone, expressing a willingness to work with the new administration for regional peace.
Amos Harel, a columnist for the left-leaning Ha’aretz newspaper, expressed less optimism about Trump, describing him as “capricious, self-driven, and unpredictable.” He predicted that Trump’s second term would be even more extreme than his first.
Harel suggested that Trump’s foreign policy remains uncertain, noting the mixed outcomes of his first term. He cautioned that Trump may prioritize his own interests over those of Netanyahu’s coalition.
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Elizabeth Pipko, in an interview with Israeli television, indicated that Trump aims for Israel to achieve swift and decisive victories in its conflicts with Hezbollah and Hamas.
