The old saying "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it" perfectly captures the trap Netanyahu has fallen into with Trump. After a frosty relationship - with considerable understatement - with US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu and many Israelis prayed for Trump's return. When Trump was elected, it seemed like Israel had gained the dream president and administration. As the saying goes, don't put the cart before the horse.
From the moment he was elected and then entered the White House, Trump issued promises and threats in line with Israel's wishes. But if we check the scoreboard, hell did not break loose on Hamas when the hostages were not freed - not at noon on Saturday, nor at the second or third ultimatum. The "Riviera" remark was a decent joke; even I laughed for a moment. The threats against Iran turned into a slow-moving dialogue with no real horizon. Bonus: the US halted an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities just before it began. As for the Houthis - those small fry whom the Americans vowed to crush - they've now secured a ceasefire with Washington, but will continue firing at Israel.
And now, Trump is negotiating with Saudi Arabia - clearly prioritizing American interests over Israeli ones. Add to that the fact that despite being just an hour's flight from Jerusalem, Trump chose to visit Riyadh on his first trip to the region without a stop in Israel, and the picture is clear: Trump's words carry little weight. Anyone building castles in the sky based on his promises should wait before moving in.
Netanyahu tied Israel's fate to Trump's decisions. And now Trump, just like Biden, has Israel's hands tied (from acting against Iran, for instance), and is pursuing a US foreign policy in which Israel plays no significant role. Oh, and greetings from the customs office: Netanyahu's assumption that a supportive US president would spare Israel from tariffs turned out to be just that, an assumption. Words are one thing, customs duties quite another.
In any case, there's no predicting what Trump will do next. But one thing is certain: he will act according to what suits him and him alone. Israel and Netanyahu will have to accept this, submissively and reverently. You don't mess with Trump, not even in thought. That's how capricious he is. And that's how tightly Israel has tied itself to this one man.
Netanyahu's predicament
Is there any real diplomatic counterweight Netanyahu can now put forward, similar to what he tried with Biden and Obama? Zelenskyy's humiliation at the White House is a warning to anyone who dares challenge Trump. And what will Netanyahu tell the Israeli public? That Trump is bad for Israel? After showering him with praise in the White House as if he were a Righteous Among the Nations? That's a spin too tangled to pull off.
So now, like mice in a gilded cage, we - and especially the prime minister - are subject to the whims of a man whose logic is known only to himself. And if you think things will improve, I have a feeling you're wrong. Next week, the president is expected to visit the region. As usual, he will lay down facts on the ground for Israel. Don't be surprised if one of them is a Palestinian state.
A Palestinian state? From our Trump? From our administration? Well, here's the thing: he's not ours. He belongs to America. In fact, to himself.
He is undoubtedly one of the most flamboyant and entertaining presidents we've ever seen in the media. So at least this: we'll get to laugh a lot, between the tears.
