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‘I Can Finally Breathe’: Israel Welcomes Trump’s Election Victory

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump appears on a congratulatory billboard for the 2024 US presidential election, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 6, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter

The news of Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election was met with enthusiasm across much of Israel on Wednesday morning, starting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s effusive congratulations to the president-elect and extending — if polls are to be believed — to an overwhelming majority of the population.

“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” Netanyahu wrote on X/Twitter.

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” he added, before signing off, “in true friendship.”

In the run-up to the election, several polls showed that Trump was clearly the favorite for Israelis. The Israel Democracy Institute found that nearly two-thirds of Israelis believe Trump is better for Israel’s interests, compared with only 13 percent who say his election opponent, incumbent US Vice President Kamala Harris, would have made a better fit.

“I just feel like I can finally breathe a sigh of relief,” Elad Bookman, who was up late Tuesday night at an election watch party, told The Algemeiner.

“We know that Trump is good for Israel because we’ve seen him in action,” Bookman went on, citing Trump’s history of pro-Israel policies in his former tenure. These include moving the US embassy to Jerusalem; declaring Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a strategic region on Israel’s northern border previously controlled by Syria; withdrawing from the nuclear deal with Iran, which placed temporary restrictions on the regime’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions; and brokering the Abraham Accords, normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab and Muslim countries.

But Helit Barel, a former senior official at Israel’s National Security Council and an expert on US-Israel relations, cautioned that questions remain about how his policies will influence Israel’s regional concerns, saying “the true impact of a Trump presidency versus the current one remains to be seen.”

For Barel, the most pressing foreign policy challenge awaiting Trump is Iran’s proximity to nuclear capability. “Obviously Trump will not want to see Iran crossing that threshold on his watch,” she said, but added that the president-elect may falter in engaging Iran with direct military action, especially because of the economic costs associated with doing so.

“He’s not interested in expensive wars, and he’s quite focused on the economy, which is foremost on the minds of the American public,” Barrel told The Algemeiner.

Alternatively, while Trump had clearly been “antagonistic” toward the Obama administrations -brokered Iran nuclear deal, withdrawing from it in 2018, he may want to negotiate a new agreement, with much stricter terms. “He may take advantage of the fact that Iran appears to be desperate for a deal,” she said.

Barel also cautioned against over-enthusiasm on Netanyahu’s part, pointing to a checkered history between the two leaders, which includes Trump’s anger over Netanyahu’s decision not to participate in the strike on Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and ire at the Israeli leader’s perceived betrayal in congratulating incumbent US President Joe Biden after the 2020 election. She also noted more recent criticisms of the Israeli premier’s wartime leadership in Gaza.

“We’ll find out if he’s truly moved past the grievances he had with Netanyahu,” she said.

But according to Attila Somfalvi, a political commentator and journalist with Ynet, the election result translated into a “happy day” for Netanyahu.

“Netanyahu woke up to a better prospect for the future,” Somfalvi said. “From a political standpoint, it’s important to remember that Netanyahu and Trump are on good terms, and so are their respective circles.”

According to Somfalvi, the two leaders had spoken on the phone several times in recent months, discussing matters regarding Iran.

“Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, ‘Do what you need to do.’ So it’s very possible he gave a green light here, with the idea of resolving the Iranian issue by Jan. 20,” Somfalvi said, referring to the date when Trump will officially return to the White House.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday also congratulated Trump’s “historic return to the White House,” calling him “a true and dear friend of Israel, and a champion of peace and cooperation in our region.”

“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the ironclad bond between our peoples, to build a future of peace and security for the Middle East, and to uphold our shared values,” he wrote on X.

Gideon Sa’ar, the incoming foreign minister set to take over from Israel Katz, congratulated Trump “on a truly historic victory.”

“As a true friend of Israel with a proven commitment to Israel’s security, we welcome your strong and dedicated leadership as we work to build a better future of security and cooperation for the Middle East,” Sa’ar wrote on X.

In a move that rocked Israel, Netanyahu on Tuesday night fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing a “lack of trust.”

Katz, who is replacing Gallant, posted a photo of himself along with Trump, writing, “Together, we’ll strengthen the US-Israel alliance, bring back the hostages [seized by Hamas during its rampage across southern Israel last Oct. 7], and stand firm to defeat the axis of evil led by Iran.”

The post ‘I Can Finally Breathe’: Israel Welcomes Trump’s Election Victory first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Turkey Warns of Escalation as Israel Expands Strikes Beyond Gaza

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not seen) at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, May 13, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

i24 NewsAn Israeli strike targeting Hamas officials in Qatar has sparked unease among several Middle Eastern countries that host leaders of the group, with Turkey among the most alarmed.

Officials in Ankara are increasingly worried about how far Israel might go in pursuing those it holds responsible for the October 7 attacks.

Israel’s prime minister effectively acknowledged that the Qatar operation failed to eliminate the Hamas leadership, while stressing the broader point the strike was meant to make: “They enjoy no immunity,” the government said.

On X, Prime Minister Netanyahu went further, writing that “the elimination of Hamas leaders would put an end to the war.”

A senior Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, summed up Ankara’s reaction: “The attack in Qatar showed that the Israeli government is ready to do anything.”

Legally and diplomatically, Turkey occupies a delicate position. As a NATO member, any military operation or targeted killing on its soil could inflame tensions within the alliance and challenge mutual security commitments.

Analysts caution, however, that Israel could opt for covert measures, operations carried out without public acknowledgement, a prospect that has increased anxiety in governments across the region.

Israeli officials remain defiant. In an interview with Ynet, Minister Ze’ev Elkin said: “As long as we have not stopped them, we will pursue them everywhere in the world and settle our accounts with them.” The episode underscores growing fears that efforts to hunt Hamas figures beyond Gaza could widen regional friction and complicate diplomatic relationships.

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UK Bars All Israelis from Prestigious Defense College

Demonstrators attend the “Lift the Ban” rally organized by Defend Our Juries, challenging the British government’s proscription of “Palestine Action” under anti-terrorism laws, in Parliament Square, in London, Britain, Sept. 6, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

i24 NewsThe British government has announced that, starting next year, Israelis will no longer be admitted to the Royal College of Defense Studies (RCDS), marking the first exclusion of Israelis since the institution was founded in 1927. Previously, restrictions applied only to officers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), but the new policy will apply to all Israeli applicants, civilian or military.

The decision comes amid the ongoing war in Gaza, according to reporting by The Telegraph, and represents a notable shift in British-Israeli defense cooperation.

Amir Baram, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, criticized the move in strong terms, calling it a “deeply shameful and discriminatory” decision and “a betrayal of an ally in time of war.”

In a statement, Baram emphasized Israel’s broader security contributions, including protecting international shipping from Houthi attacks, preventing nuclear proliferation by hostile regimes, and efforts to secure the release of 48 hostages held by Hamas.

“Israel’s exclusion is a profoundly dishonorable act of disloyalty to an ally at war,” Baram wrote. “These discriminatory actions amount to a disgraceful break with Britain’s proud tradition of tolerance, and plain decency.” He added that silencing Israeli voices at a time when the country is actively defending international security constitutes “nothing less than an act of self-sabotage of British security.”

A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense defended the decision, emphasizing that the college welcomes participants from many nations, provided they respect international humanitarian law. The spokesperson criticized Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, calling instead for a diplomatic resolution that includes a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and expanded humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

The RCDS exclusion reflects a growing strain in UK-Israel relations, already tense due to debates over recognition of a Palestinian state and responses to the Gaza conflict. Israeli officials have framed the decision as both a political and symbolic blow to bilateral defense cooperation, warning it could have broader implications for strategic ties between the two countries.

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Anti-Israel Protests Force Early End to Vuelta a Espana Cycle Race

Cycling – Vuelta a Espana – Stage 21 – Alalpardo to Madrid – Madrid, Spain – September 14, 2025 Protesters clash with police during Stage 21. Photo: REUTERS/Ana Beltran

Anti-Israel protests forced the abandonment of the Vuelta a Espana cycle race at its finale on Sunday, with Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard declared the winner as police sought to quell demonstrations against an Israeli team’s participation.

Protesters overturned metal barriers and occupied the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) race route at several points in the Spanish capital Madrid as police attempted to push them back.

“The race is over,” a spokesperson for the race organizers told Reuters.

The protests have targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Some riders had threatened to quit last week as routes were blocked, causing some falls.

More than 1,000 police officers were deployed on Sunday as cyclists reached the final stage of the 21-day race in Madrid.

It had been due to end at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT).

Earlier in the day, Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he admired the protesters.

“Today marks the end of the Vuelta,” Sanchez told a party rally in the southern city of Malaga.

“Our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilizing for just causes like Palestine.”

After the race was cancelled, clashes continued with protesters throwing bottles of water and other objects at police.

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