Trump's absurd assertions of responsibility for Israel's existence clash with reality

Donald Trump's assertion that "If there wasn’t me, there would be no Israel" is an "unacceptable" and "breathtaking" claim, according to an editorial in The Jerusalem Post. The editorial argues this statement, made in an interview with the New York Post, clashes with the reality of Israel's ongoing conflict and the restrictive policies enacted by Trump's administration.

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If there wasn’t me, there would be no Israel.

The editorial highlights the paradox of Trump's administration intervening to cancel or curtail critical military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while simultaneously claiming to be the sole guarantor of Israel's existence. "To aggressively restrict Israel’s sovereign right to self-defense while simultaneously claiming to be its sole guarantor of life is an irreconcilable paradox," the piece states. This policy of containment, it argues, undermines Israel's long-term deterrence and compromises its security by prioritizing short-term quiet over decisive victory.

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To hear the sitting American president claim ultimate authorship over the survival and existence of the Jewish state is nothing short of breathtaking.

While criticizing Trump's recent statements and policies, the editorial acknowledges his "profoundly impactful" legacy as a friend to Israel during his first term, noting his administration's actions that "shattered decade"-long norms. The piece contrasts the president's claims with the harsh realities faced by Israel, particularly with its northern border on fire and tens of thousands of residents displaced.

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To aggressively restrict Israel’s sovereign right to self-defense while simultaneously claiming to be its sole guarantor of life is an irreconcilable paradox.