Nearly a decade has passed since Donald Trump burst onto the American political scene and took it by storm. Throughout this period, he has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel, both in words and through unprecedented actions. History has recorded these well.
Nevertheless, whether due to misunderstandings by so-called "experts" or the ingrained Jewish anxiety about the latest ruling power, some still fear that Trump might turn against Israel.
Such was the case with the recent uproar over the peculiar story of Adam Boehler. With White House approval, Boehler indeed took an extraordinary step by engaging in direct talks with Hamas. Israel, to put it mildly, was not pleased with this break from the longstanding Western boycott of Hamas and conveyed its concerns to the White House. Boehler made an even greater mistake when he embarked on a media tour in both the US and Israel, a move that damaged his standing in both countries. After all, calling Hamas operatives "good guys" is unacceptable to any sane person, especially after October 7.
Yet, as strange as it may sound, Boehler never actually represented Trump. This may be difficult for an outsider to grasp. Boehler was appointed to a role by Trump and was present at numerous White House events. However, those familiar with Trump's internal dynamics knew that Boehler was never part of the president's inner circle.
Despite holding the title of "Trump administration envoy for hostage affairs," it was not Boehler but rather Steve Witkoff, the "Middle East envoy," who traveled to Moscow to secure the release of American prisoner Marc Fogel. Boehler was also absent from the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump at the White House last month. He played no role in brokering the hostage deal that was ultimately reached—because he was simply not among Trump's trusted confidants.
Yes, Trump or someone in his circle did authorize Boehler to explore the alternative track of dialogue with Hamas. But this was merely dipping a toe in the water—nothing more. And in any case, this exceptional step—which aligns with Trump's reputation for breaking conventions—was never an indication that the former president was about to abandon Israel. The goal was simply to explore another path for bringing the hostages home. "I am a loyal person," Trump often says about himself, and indeed, he is.
Now, to clear any doubts, Boehler has been definitively distanced from all hostage-related matters to ensure clarity on the matter. Donald Trump remains the most pro-Israel US president—past, present, and future.
