Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in Trump’s Florida residence during the transition. It became an incredibly productive discussion of the biggest issues at play in what’s happening in Gaza right now. Following their talks, Trump reportedly declared that Israel was committed to a proposal for ending the conflict in Gaza. To underscore this commitment, he issued a joint statement with the U.S. The two leaders took part in a lively discussion. From what should be the future governance structure of the Palestinians to how we counter the still looming threat of Iran.
During the meeting, Trump emphasized that Israel had adhered to a plan to bring an end to hostilities in Gaza. He said that one thing he and Netanyahu figured out is how they most often came to the same conclusions on the key points. They did not agree on all things.
“I wouldn’t say we agree on the issue of the West Bank 100 per cent, but we’ll come to a conclusion on the West Bank,” – Donald Trump
Governance in Gaza
That convening led to one inspiring result. Participants advocated for the establishment of a “technocratic, apolitical” committee to run daily affairs in Gaza. This governance structure would function under the aegis of a council known as the Board of Peace. Netanyahu stopped short of dismissing the idea that the Palestinian Authority could be involved in governing Gaza long term.
At the time, Trump’s comments were seen as a gaffe. They actually echoed Israel’s vision for rebuilding Gaza as a demilitarized enclave under international control. Both leaders stressed the need for a swift return to peace and security across the region.
Concerns Over Iran
The Trump administration rightly sounded the alarms about Iran’s ability to replenish its long-range missile stock, which is a direct threat to Israel. He slammed Iran for not agreeing to a long-term agreement that would totally obfuscate its nuclear program. Trump’s remarks came against a backdrop of rising tensions and concerns among Israeli officials about Iran’s military capabilities.
“If they are, we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock them down,” – Donald Trump
As Trump boldly asserted, “We have totally outfitted the Iranian military, or we’ve completely and fully obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities [sic].” He went on to lament that Iran “would love to have made that deal” on their nuclear program.
Strong Warnings to Hamas
During a rally in Florida over the weekend, Trump issued serious threats to Hamas. He warned that there would be “one hell of a problem” if the militant group did not lay down its weapons on schedule. His remarks signal a serious intent across the administration to make sure that peace initiatives are not dismissed out of hand by any parties.
“If they don’t disarm, and they agreed to, then there’ll be hell to pay for them, and we don’t want that,” – Donald Trump
The meeting concluded with Netanyahu announcing plans to award Trump the Israel Prize, recognizing his contributions and support for Israel during his presidency. Yet this very personal gesture underscores the deep rapport between the two leaders. Better still, they are committed to working collaboratively on the challenges their regions face.
