The Israeli government is excited about Donald Trump’s electoral victory, but it is concerned that the United States may increase pressure in the final days of the Biden administration, two Israeli officials told NBC News.
One official pointed out that Benjamin Netanyahu, who was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump, may seek to end the Gaza war early in Trump’s term as a way to offer the new US president a “quick diplomatic win.”
Israel believes that Trump’s victory will mean a tougher US stance on Iran and more freedom for Israel to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank.
But while the Israeli government eagerly anticipates Trump’s inauguration in January, officials are well aware that they still have to deal with the outgoing Biden administration for the next two months. They are particularly concerned that the US might cut or limit military support if Israel fails to meet the American deadline for increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza by mid-November, as threatened last month by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
