US President-elect Donald Trump sparked controversy after sharing a provocative video on his social media platform, TruthSocial. In the video, economist Jeffrey Sachs accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating US foreign policy and orchestrating “endless wars” in Gaza and the Middle East. Sachs claimed that Netanyahu’s strategy, which has targeted supporting governments in Iraq, Iran, and Syria, has been propelled by the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups, leading the US into conflicts.
Trump’s Motive Remains Unclear
Trump’s motive for sharing the video remains uncertain, but it appears to align with his history of reposting clips that challenge the mainstream political establishment. The video’s timing is significant, coming at a moment when intense diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by Egypt, Qatar, and the current US administration, are underway to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas that would also address hostage releases.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
🚨🇮🇱🇺🇸 Trump just posted a video of how Netanyahu was responsible for dragging America into the Iraq War
In the video, they describe Netanyahu as a “deep, dark son of a bitch.”
Holy sh*t 😳
pic.twitter.com/zdzuOCQK27— The Saviour (@stairwayto3dom) January 8, 2025
Controversial Stance on Gaza Ceasefire
Trump’s team has made their stance clear on the ongoing war. Marco Rubio, his pick for Secretary of State, has voiced opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza, advocating for the complete destruction of Hamas. Elise Stefanik, the pick for US Ambassador to the UN, has dismissed the United Nations as a “cesspool of antisemitism” due to its criticisms of civilian casualties in Gaza. Additionally, Mike Huckabee, selected as the ambassador to Israel, has rejected the terminology of “occupied Palestinian territories.”
Trump and Netanyahu: A Complex Relationship
The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has often been described as transactional. Throughout Trump’s first term, he delivered key diplomatic victories for Netanyahu, including recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019 and backing the Abraham Accords with Gulf states. Despite the occasional clash—such as Trump’s harsh words in 2020 after Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden for winning the presidency—the two leaders have maintained a complex relationship.
Potential Impacts of Trump’s Return to Office
While the relationship has been rocky at times, many believe that Trump’s return to office could favor Netanyahu’s expansionist policies, particularly in terms of settlement expansion and potential annexation in the West Bank. Sachs, commenting on the situation, expressed hope that a change in US foreign policy under Trump could offer a break from what he considers to be Netanyahu’s “cruel, ineffective, illegal and destructive” policies.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how Trump’s stance on Israel will shape US foreign policy moving forward.
