As president, Donald Trump was a staunch supporter of Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as its capital, cutting off aid to the U.N. agency that supports Palestinian refugees, and presenting a peace plan that favored Israel. However, he has also publicly called for the war in Gaza to stop, stating in April, “Israel has to be very careful, because you’re losing a lot of the world.”
Members of Israel’s right-wing government believe that a Trump administration will allow it to end its wars in Gaza and Lebanon on favorable terms. Nevertheless, the president-elect’s comments regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza have led some Palestinians to hold out hope that Trump may be swayed. Recently, he had a call with Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority.
Trump has previously promised to bring peace to the Middle East. With the region currently in turmoil, the feasibility of this goal remains uncertain. During his last term, Trump helped establish landmark diplomatic ties between Israel and three Arab countries, which remain intact. Upon returning to power, he may seek to forge a similar agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
However, achieving a deal between Israel and the Palestinians is likely to be much more challenging, as lasting peace in the region cannot be attained without it. While cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon may occur early in his tenure, these truces would likely have been reached under a different administration as well.
Many on the Israeli right hope that a Trump presidency will provide them with greater political cover to expand Jewish settlements in Gaza, solidify Israeli control over the West Bank, reform the Israeli judicial system, and conduct larger military operations against Iran. Nonetheless, Trump’s unpredictable nature means his interests may not always align with those of Israel. For instance, he recently suggested he would not support regime change in Iran, a goal for some Israeli leaders.
Trump has indicated that he wants the war in Gaza to conclude with a decisive Israeli victory, suggesting he may tolerate a more aggressive Israeli campaign than the current administration. However, he may also exhibit less patience with Israel if the conflict does not resolve swiftly.
Regarding his vision for a postwar Gaza, Trump’s previous peace plan proposed that Gaza would become part of a Palestinian state. Yet, the Israeli government is now even less likely to accept Palestinian sovereignty, particularly following the events of October 7, 2023. Consequently, Trump may ultimately be more amenable than the current administration to accepting Israeli civilian control over parts of the territory.
In other regional news, Trump’s allies and adversaries are closely monitoring his next moves as he returns to the White House with intentions of seeking retribution for perceived wrongs during his previous term. While it remains unclear whether he will act on these threats, expectations are that he will pursue some of the targets he has identified.
Additionally, violence erupted in Amsterdam following a soccer match between an Israeli team and a local opponent, causing concern among the city’s Jewish and Muslim communities and prompting international outcry. Civic leaders have noted that incendiary behavior by some Israeli fans contributed to the unrest, resulting in multiple assaults on Israeli fans. The police reported that five individuals were hospitalized, with 63 arrests made. Prime Minister Dick Schoof plans to convene meetings to address the attacks and antisemitism.
In other news, a snowboarder and influencer recently turned 18, prompting a wave of birthday wishes from her followers. Meanwhile, Baltazar Ushca, known as the last ice harvester in Ecuador, passed away at the age of 80.
Scholars have noted a correlation between technology use and feelings of loneliness, suggesting that while technology may not directly cause loneliness, unhealthy usage patterns may contribute to it. Recommendations for coping with loneliness include trying a classic Bolognese recipe, engaging in a beginner-friendly exercise routine, and exploring new films and literature.
That concludes today’s briefing.