Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election was resounding: US citizens voted against extreme Woke culture that led to instability and alienation, choosing what appeared to them as a more logical and rational alternative. This victory presents Israel with numerous opportunities, alongside significant challenges.
Trump, fortunately, is surrounded by devoted supporters of Israel – from his close team of advisers, through the Republican Party leadership, to his political base and tens of millions of Evangelicals whose steadfast support for Israel stems from their religious beliefs. However, it's important to remember: Trump, like any true leader, focuses his policy first on his own country's interests, and only then attends to allies. Therefore, capitalizing on these opportunities and overcoming these challenges with the new administration is a critical national mission under the responsibility of Israel's government.
In the first week of his presidency, Israel needs to act swiftly to remove restrictions on AI chip imports. These restrictions, imposed during the final period of the Biden administration, place Israel on a list of countries facing regulatory difficulties regarding advanced technology imports from the US. In contrast, countries like Canada, Britain, Germany, and France enjoy full and open market access. The AI field is not just an economic growth engine but also a key to global control in security, health, and advanced technology. In a world where technology equals power, Israel cannot afford to remain sidelined. Just as American restrictions decimated Israel's offensive cyber industry – a first-rate strategic weapon – the limitations on AI chip imports threaten Israel's status as a global technology powerhouse.
Israel should aim for a significant upgrade in security cooperation with the US. The goal should be ambitious – reaching a full partnership model, similar to the one between the US and Canada. Such a partnership includes removing technological export restrictions, with special emphasis on offensive cyber capabilities. The current agreement (MOU), signed during President Barack Obama's term and regulating the scope of security assistance, is set to expire in 2028. We must ensure the agreement's renewal. In the new agreement, Israel must secure continued security and technological cooperation and the financial assistance needed to maintain strategic superiority in the region.
The crown jewel: halting Iran's nuclear program. There will never be a better opportunity to act against our greatest enemy's nuclear facilities. Iran's air defense systems have been damaged, and the systems in Syria, which were part of its defensive umbrella, have been completely destroyed. However, time is running out – Iran already possesses enough enriched uranium to produce several nuclear bombs and is simultaneously advancing in developing the required delivery systems.
The great danger is that Donald Trump's Washington will try to achieve another agreement with Tehran, meaning more foot-dragging and delays. The Israeli prime minister's role is to convince Trump to allow and even lead an attack. The Iranian problem isn't just Israel's issue – it's a global problem. An Iranian nuclear capability would lead to a nuclear arms race throughout the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed in his primary duty during the war against Hamas, to convince the American administration that extensive humanitarian aid only prolongs the war and causes more casualties on both sides. Meanwhile, he failed to translate his close ties with Washington into practical results. Both on the Iranian issue and in the broader international arena, his policy hasn't provided the required response. Let's hope he doesn't fail in this mission – until he's replaced in elections.
The International Court in The Hague is another weighty issue that deserves effective handling. Today's sanctions aren't effective enough; the US needs to impose sanctions on the court's bank accounts, its judges, and employees so the organization ceases to function while an investigation against Israel is ongoing. The court won't be able to pay its employees if sanctions are imposed on the organization itself.
The Trump administration should lift the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on settlers and organizations in Judea and Samaria. This was an extreme and unfair move, contradicting the declared values of liberty, entrepreneurship, and a free market – values on which the US is based. These sanctions created discrimination against businesses and private individuals solely due to their geographical location while completely ignoring the region's political and historical complexity. Erasing this disgrace would not only be a moral correction but also an unequivocal message to the world: the US stands with Israel in its struggle for historical rights and strengthening sovereignty. This step would also strengthen the Israeli economy and the entire region's resilience against external pressures.
Sovereignty over Area C is a principled and value-based goal, but Trump has already stated that his administration will focus on expanding the Abraham Accords, and as known, an agreement with Saudi Arabia contradicts imposing sovereignty. The Abraham Accords not only established Israel's regional status but also opened doors for unprecedented cooperation in security, energy, and commerce. Here, the prime minister's central mission is to succeed in signing normalization agreements without committing to a Palestinian state, something that today most Israeli public understands is not an option.
As mentioned, numerous opportunities and critical national missions await Israel, but the current Israeli government isn't the one to act on their implementation. It lacks such capability – remember, Netanyahu and his government failed to convince the Biden administration to avoid extensive humanitarian aid that only prolonged the war, they failed to convince Trump to improve the deal, and there's no reason to assume they'll succeed in future missions – but mainly, certainly with the war's end, they lack the public mandate to do so. This government needs to return the mandate to the people and seek their trust again in new elections before acting in their name again – both with the Trump administration and in general.
Ayelet Shaked is the former Israeli minister of justice and minister of interior.
