The serious failures of October 7, 2023, had a direct impact on the negotiations of the agreement that has just been approved by the Israeli government. Of course, this agreement is vulnerable and the roadmap is strewn with many obstacles, but how can we not rejoice at the release of the hostages held in inhumane conditions? To be proud that Israel applies a thousand-year-old, ethical and moral tradition, and that it is one of the few countries in the world that uses all means to free its nationals, that it never abandons a comrade in the regiment on the battlefield, alive or dead. Unfortunately, we pay a heavy and painful price each time because we are dealing with bloodthirsty terrorists, barbaric Islamists who couldn’t care less about international laws, treaties on prisoners of war and the control of the Red Cross.
We regret that this agreement was signed late and that political and partisan reasons still hang over the negotiations, but once the decision is made and despite the opposition and the departure of several ministers, it must be implemented to the letter even at the risk of the fall of the government and early elections. Israel is isolated in the international arena and after the ceasefire, the diplomatic, legal, and media battle will begin with intensity. Therefore, the support of Trump’s America is necessary to thwart any violation of the agreement, all the dictates and pressures and the condemnations to come, and above all to ensure security along our borders by avoiding the resumption of terrorist attacks also in the West Bank.
Fortunately, we have managed to completely change the geopolitical situation in the region: Hezbollah and Hamas have lost the war and have been considerably weakened, their leaders have been eliminated. However, the resumption of hostilities is likely and therefore the fight is not yet over.
Of course, we cannot eradicate the religious ideology and fanaticism of the Islamists, but on the military and strategic level, the victory is clear and the IDF once again becomes the most powerful army in the Middle East.
In Washington, Donald Trump is taking up residence in the White House in a position of strength and is assuring Israel and its allies of his good intentions. From now on, America is changing course in our region and its diplomacy is becoming clear, direct and uncompromising on all fronts. The fight against Islamic terrorism, particularly against the Houthis in Yemen, will finally be waged tirelessly and without any mercy.
Most Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, are happy with the return of Donald Trump. Palestinian leaders fear that the creation of their state will be postponed to a very distant date, while the ayatollahs of Iran prefer dialogue to avoid the destruction of their nuclear sites.
Trump’s policy could be very beneficial to Israel, provided that it establishes a frank and credible dialogue with it, presents it with a realistic plan, a pragmatic road map to be able to continue together the implementation of the Abraham Accords and diplomatic normalization with Saudi Arabia.
It is in this new geopolitical context that the Netanyahu government has agreed to sign an agreement that will allow the release of the hostages and a withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Of course, questions remain open and questions are raised about Donald Trump’s fiery and unpredictable character, and his ability to follow through on his promises to the letter. However, his message remains clear: in the political jungle of the planet, and especially in the Middle East, only the strongest is respected.
This article was originally published in Israel Hayom on January 20, 2025.
