Israel’s mistake was believing Trump’s Iran policy was about Israel - opinion

An opinion piece suggests that Israel's reaction to Donald Trump's Iran policy, particularly the recent MoU and ongoing negotiations, stems from a mistaken belief that his actions were fundamentally centered on Israeli interests.

The author contends that the criticism accusing Trump of "betraying" Israel overlooks the broader context. While acknowledging legitimate concerns about Iran's nuclear program, missile arsenal, and regional support for proxies, the piece argues that the emotional outcry in Israel reveals a deeper issue: the expectation that Trump's entire Iran strategy was tailored for Israel's benefit. This perspective, the article claims, ignores American national security, freedom of navigation, energy markets, regional stability, and the Western interest in preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

"It is as if everything Trump did over the past year and a half was understood through one lens and one lens only: Israel," the article states, highlighting how this narrow focus leads to overheated rhetoric. Examples cited include op-eds in Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom, and declarations on Channel 14, all expressing a sense of betrayal.

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It is as if everything Trump did over the past year and a half was understood through one lens and one lens only: Israel.

The piece asserts that while anger over the deal's terms is valid, the feeling of emotional betrayal, as if Trump broke a personal promise to Israel, is misplaced. It reflects a misunderstanding of how alliances function and how American presidents make decisions. Former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman is quoted as arguing that Washington acts according to its own interests, not Israeli ones, a point the author deems obvious but necessary to reiterate.

This perspective, the article suggests, is crucial for understanding the dynamics during the recent war. When the joint campaign began on February 28, the interests of Israel and the United States were largely aligned, both seeking to degrade Iran's military capabilities and nuclear ambitions. However, the author implies that the subsequent focus on perceived betrayal overshadows the strategic realities of international relations and the primary drivers of US foreign policy.

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Washington, he explained, acts according to American interests, not Israeli ones. That should be obvious. But in the current atmosphere, it is worth repeating.