Located in central Jerusalem, the bar Deja Bu offers a clever nod to familiar libations while standing in the shadow of the US embassy building.
Outside the gates of the US compound, Israel appears poised for a potential second term of Donald Trump.
“I’m very pleased,” remarked Rafael Shore, a rabbi residing in the Old City of Jerusalem. He deeply comprehends the linguistic nuances prevalent in the Middle East.
“Iran is likely to reconsider its actions.” There is a belief that had Kamala been elected, the level of fear regarding potential attacks on America or Israel in the Middle East would have been significantly reduced.
On Wednesday morning, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was among the first to congratulate the newly elected president.
“Congratulations on what is being hailed as history’s greatest comeback!” he tweeted.
Netanyahu has referred to Trump as the “best friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Trump gained support in this region by dismantling an Iran nuclear agreement that was met with disapproval from Israel, facilitating groundbreaking normalization deals with multiple Arab nations, and overturning long-standing US policy and global consensus by acknowledging Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the United States, described Donald Trump’s first term in office as “exemplary” regarding Israel.
There is optimism surrounding the possibility of his return to that matter. It is essential to maintain a clear perspective on Donald Trump and the principles he represents.
Initially, he stated that the former president “doesn’t like wars,” perceiving them as costly endeavors. Former President Trump has called on Israel to expedite the conclusion of the conflict in Gaza.
Ambassador Oren stated that he is “not a big fan” of Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank and has expressed opposition to the desires of confident Israeli leaders to annex portions of the territory.
The potential implementation of both policies may place the prime minister at odds with far-right factions within Netanyahu’s existing governing coalition. These groups have issued warnings of destabilizing the government should the prime minister advance initiatives they oppose.
In the face of recent pressures from his US ally juxtaposed with the expectations of his coalition partners, Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently leaned towards prioritizing the interests of his coalition.
Consequently, relations with the current US President, Joe Biden, have deteriorated significantly.
Michael Oren asserts that Netanyahu must adopt a new strategy in dealing with the incoming president.
“Should Donald Trump assume office in January and declare, ‘You have one week to conclude this war,’ it is likely that Netanyahu will feel compelled to comply.”
In Gaza, the ongoing conflict between the Israeli military and the Palestinian group Hamas has led to a growing sense of desperation among residents, with many now fixating on a singular objective.
According to Ahmed, Trump “has some strong promises.” “There is a strong hope that he will contribute to fostering peace.”
In a tragic turn of events, Ahmed lost both his wife and son to the ravages of war while his home was reduced to rubble. “We have reached our limit; fatigue has set in,” he stated. “There is a prevailing hope that Trump will exhibit strength to address the ongoing issue with Israel.”
Mohammed Dawoud, who has been displaced eight times amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, expressed that a victory for Trump could signal a swift conclusion to the war.
Another displaced resident, Mamdouh, expressed indifference towards the outcome of the ongoing situation, emphasizing his primary desire for assistance.
“The situation is dire, with a complete absence of medicine, hospitals, and food.” “There is nothing left in Gaza,” he stated. “We seek a strong individual capable of distinguishing between us and the Jewish community.”
In the occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority is based, a prevailing sense of skepticism surrounds American influence. Many residents perceive US administrations, regardless of political affiliation, as consistently aligning with Israel.
“Mediocre solutions that sacrifice the Palestinians or provide unending military support for Israel will only catalyze future confrontations,” stated Sabri Saidam, a senior figure in the Palestinian Authority’s leading faction, Fatah.
“There is a call for a new iteration of Donald Trump, one that embodies a more serious approach to swiftly concluding the war and tackling the underlying issues fueling conflict in the Middle East.”
Recent polling data indicates that over two-thirds of Israelis wanted Trump to return to the White House. However, there are voices of concern regarding his unpredictable nature and methods.
“His actions are set to increase uncertainty and jeopardize regional safety,” remarked an Israeli woman. There are concerns regarding his ability to maintain stability. There are concerns that his actions may exacerbate the conflict.
The former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren expressed optimism regarding prospects, stating that significant accomplishments could be realized through cooperation with Trump. He highlighted the possibility of a groundbreaking peace agreement with Saudi Arabia and measures to counter Iran’s influence.
However, Netanyahu may need help managing the demands and compromises necessary to achieve those regional objectives.
Since Trump’s final term in office, the presence of moderate voices surrounding both leaders has significantly diminished.
Many individuals in Israel reflect on Trump’s first term with a sense of nostalgia. However, relationships can take on a vastly different dynamic during a second attempt, and previous experiences do not necessarily predict future outcomes.
