“You don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist.” This infamous phrase, often repeated by former U.S. President Joe Biden, may hold the key to understanding the measures taken by Donald Trump regarding Israel. On one hand, these actions serve as political maneuvering in his ongoing rivalry with Biden and the Democrats. On the other hand, they reflect a tactic Trump has mastered—bargaining with and blackmailing Arab leaders.
Within just one month, Trump has twice threatened Gaza with opening the “Gates of Hell”. The first threat came before he assumed office, warning that the region would face hell if a ceasefire agreement was not signed before his inauguration on January 20. The second threat came when he vowed to unleash destruction upon the resistance if all Israeli hostages were not released by February 15. While his continuous threats target those defending Palestinian rights, his approach toward Israel remains one of leniency and special care.
The Plan to Save Israel
In the early days of his presidency, Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting international bodies that had taken a stand against Israeli war crimes during the Al-Aqsa Flood operation.
Among Trump’s first moves was an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing a national emergency declaration to counter what he called a “threat” posed by the ICC’s efforts. This came after the court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Trump dismissed the ICC’s actions as “unfounded and illegitimate,” accusing the court of wrongfully claiming jurisdiction over U.S. and Israeli officials.
This decision aligned with earlier Republican-led threats against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, where U.S. Congress members directly threatened Khan and his family. These actions sparked widespread international condemnation, as they undermined the principles of international justice and marked one of Trump’s first major steps to rescue Israel.
Another major move came against South Africa, following its landmark case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the occupation of committing genocide against Palestinians. In response, Trump cut all U.S. financial aid to South Africa, justifying the move with claims of human rights violations and security threats posed by South Africa’s foreign policy—particularly its relations with Iran and stance against Israel.
Further Measures to Shield Israel
Trump’s pro-Israel agenda continued with an executive order lifting sanctions imposed by the Biden administration in February 2024 on violent Israeli settlers involved in attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. These settlers had been responsible for forcible expulsions, destruction of Palestinian villages, and violent assaults, yet Trump chose to shield them.
Furthermore, Trump approved the shipment of massive MK-84 bombs—a supply that the Biden administration had previously halted. This move effectively grants Israel a green light to continue its genocidal campaign against Palestinians, with U.S. backing once again ensuring their impunity.
Adding to his list of aggressive pro-Israel policies, Trump ordered the U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and terminated funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). His administration accused the UNHRC of systemic bias against Israel and justified the UNRWA funding cut by aligning with Israeli claims against the agency. This decision mirrored Israel’s own crackdown on UNRWA, including the revocation of its licenses in Jerusalem and other occupied territories.
Trump’s Obsession with Israel’s Expansion
These rapid-fire decisions, coinciding with Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S., align with Trump’s alarming rhetoric about Israel. He has frequently remarked that “Israel looks too small on the map” and has openly contemplated ways to expand its borders.
His most shocking statements include his desire to seize Gaza, forcibly displace its population, and transform it into a “Middle Eastern Riviera.” This, alongside his support for annexing the West Bank, and pressure on Egypt and Jordan to absorb waves of Palestinian displacement, are clear violations of Palestinian sovereignty and their right of return.
These policies build on Trump’s earlier assaults on Palestinian rights during his first term, particularly his decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem—a move that challenged Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem.
Is Israel Truly in Need of Trump’s Rescue Plan?
The urgency behind Trump’s all-out effort to rescue Israel raises the question: Why now?
The Al-Aqsa Flood operation shattered Israel’s long-standing military superiority doctrine, which had been based on maintaining technological and strategic dominance over its neighbors. The resistance launched simultaneous ground, naval, and aerial operations, exposing the myth of Israeli invincibility.
This unprecedented shift forced Israel into a prolonged, devastating war, leading to international legal scrutiny for the first time on genocide charges. Furthermore, Israel has faced global diplomatic and grassroots pushback, a challenge it had never encountered at this scale. This escalating crisis explains why Israel desperately needs a lifeline—and why Trump is racing to provide it.
Trump – The Modern Balfour
Trump’s emergency plan to salvage Israel bears eerie similarities to Britain’s infamous Balfour Declaration, which laid the groundwork for the Zionist occupation of Palestine.
His statements advocating the annexation of Gaza and the West Bank, coupled with his pressure on Arab states to facilitate forced displacement, strip away the fundamental pillars of the Palestinian cause—territorial sovereignty and the right of return.
With each new executive order, Trump is solidifying U.S. complicity in Israel’s war crimes, just as Britain did over a century ago.
Yet, the world is not the same as it was during the colonial era. Global resistance, both on the ground and in diplomatic arenas, is mounting against Israel’s expansionist ambitions.
The question now remains: Will Trump be able to push his plan forward at the same rapid pace? Or will growing international resistance force him to scale back his ambitions?
