The middle, including both the Democratic and Republican establishment, is putting it among the great tragedies in Israel's history and is all in for avenging it. And then there is Donald Trump.
On the most emotional issue of the day, an issue which imperils world stability, and which defines, perhaps like no other, political sense and character, Trump is out there on his own - and, as always, happily so.
His cranky position first and foremost involves a grudge he's held against Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu for several years. Bibi was early out of the gate to congratulate Joe Biden on his 2020 victory- that is, he accepted Donald Trump's loss. Can you believe it? In the world of quid pro quo, and the great favour bank, Trump believed himself to have over-delivered for Israel. Hence, Bibi was screwing him by not acknowledging the debt. No matter that Bibi is facing an existential crisis now, he's still a chiseller and Donald Trump doesn't forget! What's more, if he were still president and Bibi's support might have helped him (pay no attention to the fact that it certainly would not have helped) this would never have happened. This has become basically the Trump foreign policy doctrine: he has a special affinity for the world's tough guys, and they understand him, tough guy to tough guy. So, therefore, they don't provoke him. Everybody understands the lines. The fact that he was not seriously tested while he was in office is proof that no one would ever be stupid enough to seriously test him.
This story is from the October 18, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the October 18, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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