Former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed Monday that he has been regularly in contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and working closely together to “get things straightened out”, amid tensions throughout the Middle East and specifically Gaza and southern Lebanon.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump made claims that he and Netanyahu have been discussing strategies to strengthen regional stability and “restore order and peace.” While not divulging details from these discussions, Trump highlighted their importance for “standing with our allies and making sure America leads again on the global stage”.
“There is much instability taking place right now, which was certainly not under my watch,” Trump noted. “Prime Minister Netanyahu is one of my dearest friends; we are regularly communicating about getting the situation in the Middle East back under control as soon as possible.”
Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza after months of military escalation, drawing calls from UN agencies and humanitarian groups for an immediate ceasefire, which they attribute to worsening humanitarian crises; however, diplomatic efforts appear stalled so far.
Trump’s statement elicited immediate responses across political and diplomatic circles, both criticizing him for interfering in U.S. foreign policy while not holding office while his supporters applauded what they viewed as proactive leadership and potential return to assertive international strategy.
Netanyahu has not officially confirmed any collaboration between himself and Trump; however, his office issued a brief statement welcoming international support for Israel’s right to self-defense. Netanyahu is facing increasing international scrutiny due to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that has resulted in widespread destruction as well as civilian casualties.
President Joe Biden, under increasing pressure to curtail Israeli military operations, has yet to respond directly to Trump’s remarks; however, a senior White House official speaking anonymously told The Hill that foreign policy decisions are made by current administration officials rather than private citizens or former officials.
However, Trump remains an influential player in global affairs. At his briefing today, he reiterated his opinion that Abraham Accords – which were created during his presidency to broker normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations – were crucial in restoring regional stability.
“We have achieved groundbreaking peace agreements that no one thought possible,” Trump noted. “And with the right leadership we can achieve even more.”
Analysts speculate that Donald Trump’s remarks are part of his effort to enhance his foreign policy credentials ahead of the 2024 elections, in which he is leading Republican candidate. Dr. Marina Caldwell of Brookings Institution says it may also serve to bolster optics and politics as well as diplomacy.
As the Middle East becomes ever more volatile, Trump’s presence – whether formal or informal – adds another dynamic to an already tenuous geopolitical situation. But whether his influence can lead to tangible policy shifts or diplomatic progress remains to be seen.