by Eran Yashiv at Haaretz
The Americans have a term – “high-maintenance” – for someone who requires constant attention, care and support. Looking at Donald Trump’s incentives with respect to Israel, there are good reasons, related to this colorful term, to think that it is in the interest of the president-elect to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from power. Since Trump is erratic and unpredictable, this is not an exact prediction but rather an analysis of his position, with economic considerations at the fore. Let me explain.
Why would he do this? Primarily for two reasons.
First, Trump sees the prime minister as high-maintenance. Israel has received close to $18 billion in military aid from the United States over the past year. Trump has both expressed and acted on a desire not to spend American taxpayers’ money on foreign conflicts, whether in Ukraine or Israel. Supporting the ongoing Middle Eastern turmoil is not on his agenda.
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Second, Trump is eager to reach a deal with Saudi Arabia. Such an agreement would enrich him and his family personally, as was the case with the Abraham Accords. A Saudi condition for this deal would be a pathway toward a Palestinian state, even if that is not their true priority. Netanyahu and his right-wing allies have made opposition to a Palestinian state their rallying cry. The Saudis will demand Netanyahu’s removal.
Does Trump have a commitment to Netanyahu? The answer is a resounding “No.” Trump holds Netanyahu in contempt and resents the prime minister’s ties with U.S. President Joe Biden. Now that he is free from electoral considerations, his campaign promises hold little value.
Remember, Trump cannot be…
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