The electoral defeat inflicted on the Republicans is undoubtedly a rebuke to President Trump's domestic policies. Democrats will control the various congressional committees and budgetary powers, but they do not hold the two-thirds majority. Consequently, the president retains veto power, remains commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and can still dedicate himself—for the next two years—to foreign policy, as his predecessors have done.
Donald Trump is also an atypical and unpredictable president, but one determined to leave his mark on American history and therefore capable of crossing Congressional red lines. The recent appointment of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff demonstrates a hardening of his policies.
Over the years, we have seen that relations between the United States and the Jewish state have been a rollercoaster. Since 1948, we have witnessed misunderstandings, friction, and sometimes serious crises, but the relationship has never resulted in a complete break or rupture. The comments of some journalists, the analyses of former generals, party leaders, and community leaders are always exaggerated and, each time, fuel the dispute for political or personal gain.
On the other hand, Benjamin Netanyahu was wrong to play the Republican card while neglecting the Democratic Party and its many Jewish members. As a result, he indirectly contributed to the rise of anti-Israel "progressives" and Islamists such as the mayor of New York and the governor of Michigan.
The Republicans' defeat is primarily expressed as a one-off protest vote against economic decline and the high cost of living. The majority of young Americans, like those living in Europe, disregard history and geography and have little interest in the Palestinians or Israel. Some far-left political leaders are spreading misinformation and manipulating the debate to win over a disaffected youth, desperately searching for meaning and security in the future.
Facing the void, religious cooptation, discreet funds invested by the Muslim Brotherhood, and financial advantages from Qatar allow new faces to emerge within American democracy.
For now, Israelis are living in anguish and uncertainty. Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing to manage day-to-day affairs and hasn't said his last word, but he realizes that time is running out. In the coming weeks, we will know whether Gadi Eizenkot will succeed in overcoming the obstacles and forming a new government.
Contemporary history teaches us that simplistic decisions made lightly and passionately, without prior planning for the future, have always had catastrophic consequences.
Wisdom, realpolitik, and reasons of state should prevail over all personal differences and misunderstandings. In the current unpredictable situation, we should seize the opportunity to work closely with an American president who has demonstrated exemplary solidarity and unwavering friendship towards the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
However, President Trump doesn't like losers and prefers to work with strongmen. Despite his friendship with Bibi, he sees no problem in also maintaining good bilateral relations with a veteran IDF general.
In this new context, we could meet all challenges together, strengthen our strategic and military alliance, put an end to the Iranian nuclear project, dismantle Hamas, resolve our conflicts with the Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese, revive normalization with Saudi Arabia and finally emerge from our isolation in the international arena.
