Pro-Israel

The left-wing in American l politics must be chewing on their arms.

- ALEX MAGNO

Through much of this year, they mounted pro-Hamas rallies. They went to Kamala Harris' events to heckle her. They somehow must have thought that if the Democrats lose, Israel will be isolated.

They were so wrong. The Nov. 5 elections did not only deliver the popular vote, both houses of the US Congress and, of course, the presidency to the Republican right wing. The incoming administration will be the most hardline ever on the matter of Israel.

One senior American legislator quipped that the emerging new Trump Cabinet is more pro-Israel than the Israeli Cabinet. That is so true.

All the first-wave Trump appointees to key defense and intelligence posts are hardcore pro-Israel ideologues.

Pete Hegseth, the incoming secretary of Defense, emerging from the Christian Right, often spoke of Israel in biblical terms. He views Israel's right to self-defense as absolute and described the two-state formula as a delusion. The former soldier and Fox television host even produced a documentary about Israel's wars.

Incoming secretary of State Marco Rubio has been vocal in his condemnation of Iran and its proxy militias. After his nomination was announced, he declared that every element of Hamas should be destroyed.

The designated US ambassador to Jerusalem, Mike Huckabee, is a long standing friend of Israel. He declared that there is no such thing as "Palestinians." His position on the matter is clear: "There is no such thing as a West Bank. It's Judea and Samaria. There is no such thing as a settlement. They're communities, neighborhoods, cities. There is no such thing as an occupation."