Maariv newspaper downplayed expectations that US President-elect Donald Trump would support Israel on sensitive regional issues, particularly with regard to the Iranian file, the war on the Gaza Strip, and efforts to expand the peace agreements, known as the "Abraham Accords." Possible changes At the beginning of the report, written by the newspaper's political correspondent, Anna Brasky noted that many in the Israeli government prayed for Trump's victory, and considered his presidency to be in Israel's interest.

Brasky says that Trump supported Israel during his first term with decisive decisions, such as moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and signing the Abraham Accords, which strengthened Israel’s relations with a number of Arab countries. But she raises an important question: “Will Trump be as tough on Middle East issues in his second term, or will he take a more cautious approach?”

She answers this question by saying that it is likely that there will be changes in the positions of the new American president, citing as evidence the fluctuations in the policy of the former hardline Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who changed from supporting the settlers to taking the decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and dismantle its settlements in 2005 during his second term.

She points out that one of the most prominent questions that attempts to anticipate Trump’s policies relates to his position on Iran. Despite his statements during his election campaign that he does not oppose Israel attacking Iran, and that he will not tie its hands, this position may not necessarily translate into full American support for this step. Advertisement Brasky confirms that “Israel cannot launch such attacks without effective American support, which means that any neutrality on Trump’s part will not be enough” to enable Tel Aviv to attack Iran.

“For Trump, a businessman who prefers deals, opening new negotiations with Iran may be a more attractive option than getting involved in a new war,” she continues. “So, Trump may be inclined to renegotiate a modified nuclear agreement rather than engage in a direct confrontation, which raises concerns among Israeli officials about the possibility of making concessions to Iran.”

The price of expanding the Abraham Accords

Maariv's correspondent also believes that Trump's return to the White House may witness an attempt to revive and expand the Abraham Accords, especially with the focus on concluding a peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But the question the newspaper poses is, "What price might Saudi Arabia demand in exchange for normalization?"

She explains that one of the conditions that Riyadh could impose is recognition of a Palestinian state, an issue that could spark widespread controversy within Israel. She points out that Trump’s peace plan, known as the “Deal of the Century,” included the establishment of a Palestinian state on about 70% of the territory as part of the peace agreement, but the ability to actually implement this clause remains questionable.

The writer also draws attention to the fact that “the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu may be an influential factor in American policy towards Israel,” and believes that “despite the close alliance between them in the past, their relationship has gone through difficulties. Benjamin Netanyahu is currently making efforts to re-establish his relationship with Trump, and has risked provoking the Biden administration in the process.” Advertisement She says that “what will happen after Trump is officially inaugurated may reveal whether the relationship between them will return to its best state, especially since Trump may treat Netanyahu either as a true friend or as a former ally.”

The report concludes that Israel is cautious in its expectations regarding Trump’s handling of the Middle East and Israel, especially in light of the lack of clarity about his future plans. “While Israel hopes for comprehensive American support, it realizes that Trump may take more moderate and cautious positions than he has previously, and may prefer to explore new deals that seek to achieve stability in the region without military escalation,” Brasky concludes by saying that “Trump’s return to the White House may not be the same approach that Israel was accustomed to during his first term, and may impose a heavy price on the Israeli government to achieve some of its strategic goals in the region.”