It's Trump... not Trumpeldor

It is a real perception for everyone, or almost everyone, that the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States has been positive for Israel in the difficult situation it is experiencing. Even before his inauguration, things in the Middle East have picked up speed.

The Biden administration had chosen to pressure Israel to achieve peace in the area, in order to be able to negotiate the release of hostages. It would be ungrateful not to acknowledge the help of the United States to its ally, when for example it helped to face the barrage of rockets and drones from Iran on two occasions. But the "no" Joe Biden's campaign failed to achieve its goals and in the end, the greatest pressure was placed on an overwhelmed Israel.

Donald Trump's entrance on the scene has been decisive. His threat of hell if the hostages were not released had a catalytic effect. It is true that not all the hostages have been released, only a dozen of them at the time of writing this note, and when the Israeli Prime Minister arrives in Washington as the first foreign guest of the new tenant of the White House. Everyone in Israel is happy for those freed, everyone is also distressed about the fate of those still kidnapped, the living and the dead. Israel, with Biden or Trump, has had to negotiate with the perpetrators of a crime like kidnapping, and with the perpetrators of the "kinocide(1) of October 7, 2023. This last term must be the subject of study in the coming days. The mere direct or indirect negotiation with kidnappers constitutes a recognition of this criminal practice as an instrument of struggle and negotiation. However, the presence and action of Donald Trump generates optimism and confidence in a large sector of Israel, and not without reason.

Yosef Trumpeldor is an almost mythical figure in the history of Israel. A Russian Jew discriminated against for being Jewish, who fought in his country's army and was decorated and admired for his bravery and heroism, one-handed and a fervent Zionist, convinced of the idea of ​​returning to the land of Israel, populating it and working the land. All of this with the necessary defensive capacity to ensure its well-being and survival. Trumpeldor was a visionary and an activist who moved masses of young people, met with the leadership of the time in an attempt to unify efforts to achieve the goal of bringing and settling Jews in the Yishuv, and managed to lay the foundations for a Jewish military defense that could crystallize the dream of a Jewish state. His defense of Tel Hai in 1920, his legendary death in battle and his last words "it is good to die for our homeland," have been an inspiring symbol of the Zionist spirit of achievement. Working the land, uniting the workers, adding the efforts of all, defending the territory. A legacy that endures to this day. That was Trumpeldor.

Benjamin Netanyahu goes to Donald Trump as a grateful ally and with the aim of explaining to him as clearly as possible the concerns of his country. Israel fears many things, and the situations are complex. On too many occasions, Israel has been asked to take common-sense actions that are not reciprocated. Israel fears that negotiations to free hostages will be blocked, and with it the release of the hostages. Israel fears that Hamas will remain in control of Gaza if the hostages are released or if they are not released. Israel fears Iran and the leading role it plays in the Middle East. Israel and the Israelis understand that the humanitarian situation in Gaza must be addressed, but also that if humanitarian aid is administered by Hamas, the conflict will continue and a scenario like that of October 7, 2023 could be repeated. Israel fears an attack by Iran, and Israel fears a nuclear-capable Iran. Israel fears that it will evacuate southern Lebanon within a few days and that Hezbollah forces will once again take up positions and threaten the north of the country and far beyond.

Regarding the above and more, many in Israel trust Donald Trump. In his alliance and friendship with Israel, in his recognition of the just cause over the unjust. In his common sense. Not in vain, when he took office on January 20, 2024, the American president said that he would form a government of “common sense.” Something certainly rare on our troubled planet. This is what people want to believe, in order to advance in a pacified region, with Israel safe and calm. Others wonder, with reasonable doubt, what price Israel still has to pay.

So far, Hamas remains in control of Gaza, humanitarian aid is flowing there, the prognosis for the hostages, both living and dead, is reserved, Saudi Arabia has given no clear signs of normalizing relations with Israel, Israel's governing coalition is reeling from what may happen to the hostages, and Israel is placing its hopes in Trump, the pressure he can exert, his solidarity with Israel, his spirit of common sense and so many other necessary virtues.

That's right. Except it's Trump…not Trumpeldor.

Elías Farache S.

• Kinocide:
  It is a specific type of attack against a group, using the relationship between family members and their emotional, identity, cultural, symbolic, material and other ties, as a way to maximise the intended harm of the attack. Acts of inhumanity included stabbing women in their homes, murdering them, forcing their children to watch or coercing parents to watch what was being done to their children and then sending photos and videos to all contacts on the victims’ mobile phones. There was 17 minutes of video in which families were murdered at a party filled with balloons and blood for a daughter’s 18th birthday.