Widespread Reception in Israel for Trump's Victory in the U.S. Presidential Election

Israeli leaders, whose country has been engaged in war with Iran's proxy groups in a large part of the region over the past 13 months and has also been threatened by an imminent third direct military attack from Iran, widely welcomed Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election. The Prime Minister of Israel was one of the first leaders in the world to congratulate Mr. Trump on Wednesday, November 7, before the official announcement of his securing the 270 electoral votes needed for his victory, in a message on social media platform X. Benjamin Netanyahu wrote: "Your historic return to the White House is a new beginning for America and a powerful reaffirmation of the great alliance between Israel and America; this is a great victory." The Israeli Prime Minister's office announced that Netanyahu had a phone call with Donald Trump on Wednesday after his victory in the U.S. elections, discussing the "Iranian threat" to Israel's security. In a statement from Netanyahu's office, it was noted: "The conversation was warm and cordial. The Prime Minister congratulated Trump on his election victory, and both sides agreed to cooperate for Israel's security. They also discussed the Iranian threat." Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, in a message on social media X congratulated Donald Trump on his "historic return" to the White House, calling him "a true and dear friend of Israel who is loyal to peace and cooperation." Herzog added that he eagerly looks forward to working with Trump to "strengthen the iron bond between our peoples" to "build a future of peace and security in the Middle East based on our shared values." Yisrael Katz, an Israeli politician appointed by Netanyahu as Minister of Defense, wrote to Trump on social media X: "Together we will strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, bring back hostages, and stand firm against the axis of evil led by Iran." Katz was appointed to this position following Netanyahu's unexpected action on Tuesday in dismissing General Yoav Galant from the Ministry of Defense. Opposition leaders in Israel also expressed satisfaction with the prospect of Trump's return to the White House. Benny Gantz, leader of the "National Camp" party, wrote in his message that Donald Trump has previously proven his true friendship towards Israel and there is no doubt that he will continue to strive for this genuine friendship with Israel. General Gantz added that the two countries need to shape a better reality in the Middle East and bring back the abducted in the face of "Iran's aggressions and its ambitions to achieve military nuclear capability." The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had written a day before the U.S. elections that the preference of the Israeli government and Netanyahu was for Donald Trump's victory, even if it seemingly preserved the playing card with the Democratic Party in the event of Kamala Harris's victory. Although Joe Biden provided extensive military support to Israel in the ongoing war over the past year, Ms. Harris in her latest campaign statements did not explicitly name Benjamin Netanyahu as an ally. Trump called Harris's remarks about the Gaza war "offensive." Harris's repeated requests for Israel to immediately end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and some of her implicit support for limiting arms shipments to Israel were interpreted as a warning by Israeli officials from both the government and the opposition. The Israel Hayom newspaper, a supporter of Netanyahu, wrote on October 25 that Netanyahu and his trusted representatives openly supported Mr. Trump and believed that siding with him during the peak of the U.S. election campaign would not pose a significant risk to Israel, as in any case, "Harris's potential presidency would be a disaster for Israel." The newspaper reported that Netanyahu's associates and Trump's team discussed in recent weeks how the two-and-a-half-month period until the official start of his presidency should be in relation to Israel and the Middle East if he wins the U.S. elections, and Israel expressed the expectation that Mr. Trump would send a "clear message" regarding the "new order" in the Middle East: the need for Hamas's surrender, the release of Israeli hostages, and Hezbollah's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Israel Hayom wrote that Trump's firmness regarding the need to achieve these goals before his arrival at the White House is important, and after that, his administration will face tougher conditions regarding the Middle East. Donald Trump has severely criticized Kamala Harris's approach and the Biden administration's stance towards Israel, stating that if Benjamin Netanyahu had listened to them, Israel would not have made any progress in achieving its war goals. The Times of Israel reported last week that Mr. Trump told Netanyahu during a mid-summer meeting in the U.S. that if he wins the election, Israel must end the war in Gaza by the day of his return to the White House (January 21). In the final days of his campaign, Trump also emphasized the need to end the war in Lebanon during a meeting with Arab and Muslim Americans. He also stated on Wednesday in his victory speech that during his presidency, America would not go towards new wars but would end wars. Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that his country's main goal is to prevent Iran from achieving military nuclear capability. Donald Trump also stated on Tuesday after voting that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. Amid the military crisis between Israel and Iran, at Joe Biden's order, the U.S. has deployed "THAAD" defense systems and an additional squadron of aircraft in Israel and has prepared at least six B-52 bombers at the U.S. airbase in Qatar to counter potential upcoming scenarios.