I wrote an article eight years ago called “A most optimistic time for Israel: The Trump era bodes well for the Jewish state,” about President-elect Donald Trump in advance of his first term as someone who could bring new thinking to Washington, D.C., which is what he did. He moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, finally declaring Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel; recognized Israel’s expansion of their legitimate presence in Judea and Samaria, and the Golan; and helped bring about the Abraham Accords.
Trump’s four years in office were a boon for Israel and the Jewish people. We have since been faced with four difficult years in Israel and throughout the world, with waning support from the United States and other countries for Israel, and with the spread of global antisemitism that has been at best disheartening and verging on dangerous.
With Chanukah upon us, it is time to see the light reappearing and grasp it with the kind of unity of purpose that would be worthy of the Jewish warriors who came even before the time of Judah Maccabee.
Republican or Democrat, whether you voted for or against Trump, as a Jew this is our time to shine, with democracies in America and Israel and with leaders chosen by the people.
Israel has faced more than a year of hardship since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas still has hostages it refuses to release who have been treated inhumanely these past 14 months.
The ongoing war has disrupted the lives and families of Israel Defense Forces soldiers and reservists, as well as all Israeli citizens. Israel has fought bravely, and their enemies’ positions have deteriorated to the point that the potential of long-term peace could be on the horizon. Yet peace will remain elusive unless they can stop the threats from ayatollah’s regime and its proxies, as well as end Iran’s nuclear quest.
Trump has already issued a warning to Hamas to let the hostages go before his inauguration on Jan. 20 or face significant consequences. That is a powerful first step. I hope he will move to continue the growth of the Abraham Accords with increasing commitments to a regional working arrangement that will serve the interests of the nations involved.
Unfortunately, we have some within our American Jewish community who may never support Trump in his efforts and will continue to oppose this opportunity to ensure Israel’s continuation as our homeland for millennia to come. I have also read articles written by leaders and scholars in our Jewish community, along with statements of some organizations, that apologetically call for nearly a dismantling of Israel as a Jewish safe haven for our people, falling into the narrative best pronounced by our enemies.
This is the tipping point we are at now, and it is up to us to help set a path for all people in the region and the world to live in peace. That is our goal and obligation. This can best happen with the unity of the Jewish people. Let’s use this time to have forthright discussions within our Jewish community on Israel and the future of the Diaspora.
With a world body that is overwhelmingly anti-Israel by the demographics and ideology of its people, we must move forward strategically over the next four years to ensure that we will have a positive and bright future. I believe that the United Nations has the potential to serve as a constructive world body for human rights, world peace, and uplifting the poor and hungry, but it must overcome its anti-Israel bias. With Trump’s ambassador appointments to Israel and the United Nations, we should be in sound hands.
Our future will be bright if our divergent viewpoints can come together, never losing sight of the guiding spirit of Torah and learning from our ancestors who found freedom coming out of Egypt. They found fortitude when standing up to the Romans; resilience in restoring our people after the Holocaust; determination in the founding and growth of the State of Israel; and joy and mazel in the accomplishments and leadership of today’s Jewish people in building a more enlightened world for all.
As Trump’s new, second term is about to begin and with our celebration of Chanukah fast approaching, it is time to have the light shine brightly again on our Jewish people.