Donald Trump’s decisive victory creates an opportunity for historic change in the Middle East and globally, while strengthening Israel’s international position.

During my tenure as Israel’s Ambassador to the US and UN, I witnessed firsthand how the differing approaches between the Trump and Biden administrations affected Israel’s national security.

President Biden deserves gratitude and appreciation for military aid and defending Israel at the UN. However, we must acknowledge that the Biden administration’s pressure on Israel and frequent public criticism were serious missteps. These errors complicated achieving war objectives, gave hope to our enemies, and delayed both the end of fighting, the return of hostages, and prospects for regional peace.

Trump’s reelection, having already proven his openness to breakthrough thinking and initiatives, enables a strategic correction and turning point.

Returning to Pressure

First, a dramatic shift from the Biden administration’s ineffectiveness against the “head of the octopus” – Iran – is required. The US must revive Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, but this time economic pressure must be accompanied by military threat and a clear objective of regime change in Tehran. This is key to security stability in the Middle East and advancing “warm peace” between Israel and regional states.

Regrettably, the Biden administration’s strong desire to return to the nuclear deal with Iran and its insistence on old paradigms regarding the Palestinian issue led to opposite results. Palestinians entrenched in their refusal and continued inciting and funding terror. Hamas and Hezbollah hoped American pressure to end the war would cause Israel to abandon its objectives, consequently causing regional states, including some that signed the Abraham Accords, to question warming relations with Israel. Not coincidentally, no additional Arab state joined the peace circle during Biden’s administration.

I have no doubt President Trump will act differently. As someone who previously assisted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts and took significant steps like recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty in Western Sahara – to incentivize Arab leaders to normalize relations with Israel – I believe the Trump administration’s return to pressuring Iran, combined with direct incentives to regional states, will bring us much closer to a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia and subsequently many other Muslim nations.

While Trump declared during his campaign that he seeks quick war endings, I’m certain he and his team understand well that ending the war in Gaza and Lebanon requires defeating Hamas and Hezbollah and restoring Israeli deterrence, otherwise we’ll be condemned to recurring wars in our region. Trump understands that only Israel’s clear victory will bring long-term stability and quiet.

A Distorted Structure Called the UN

The major change I hope for and believe achievable in the Trump era is in the UN arena. Israel’s enemies understood that, given the difficulty of defeating us on the battlefield, they could exploit the UN’s distorted structure to block Israel and embarrass the US.

The UN and its organizations – including the Human Rights Council, The Hague court, UNRWA and others – have deteriorated to unprecedented lows and become weapons in terrorist organizations’ hands.

President Trump isn’t a blind follower of “multilateralism” at any cost. He previously completely cut UNRWA’s budget when convinced the organization perpetuates rather than resolves the conflict. Now we must convince President Trump that the US, as the UN’s largest funder, should completely cease transferring approximately $19 billion annually to an organization that has lost its way and values until necessary reforms are implemented. Such change would create a global shift that would also influence and strengthen Israel’s international standing.

If Israel’s government acts wisely with the new administration, as it did previously during President Trump’s first term, we can witness another four years of diplomatic and security achievements that will secure Israel’s future.

Published in  Israel Hayom, November 7, 2024.