Trump’s Return Gives Israel a Gap to Derail Iran’s Nuclear Plans
- Netanyahu was told by Trump to “do what you have to do”
- US president-elect has voiced aversion to long, costly wars
Cars drive past a large billboard congratulating Donald Trump in Tel Aviv on November 6, 2024.
Photographer: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Israel sees Donald Trump’s dramatic US election victory as freeing its hand to press on with the wars against Hamas and Hezbollah and even contemplate strikes aimed at disabling Iran’s nuclear program.
“You do what you have to do,” Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month when asked how to handle the showdown with Iran and its regional proxies. That carte blanche contrasts with calls by outgoing American leader Joe Biden for Netanyahu to show restraint and ensure more aid is dispensed to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, even as he’s stepped up military support to Israel.