Israelis Remain Engrossed in US Politics and Reactions to the Trump Presidency

To an American tourist visiting Israel and observing the near-total fascination Israelis have with the US presidential election and the formation of the new administration, it would be perfectly clear why the Jewish state is often called “the 51st State.” To be sure, citizens on the street display opinion and passion commensurate not only with voters, but seem to exude a personal aura akin to one who has persevered through the primary cycle, cast a ballot and then stayed up all night — plus the additional 7 to 10 hour time zone change – to cheer or lament – the outcome. For some, there is amusement: such as the political paroxysm that has infected two Jewish members of Congress who have announced personal boycotts of the inauguration. A typical Israeli reaction (ethnicity supplied): “Hillary can go but they can’t?” Other comments to The Media Line include the suggestion (referring to Tzipi Livni and Binyamin Netanyahu following the 2009 election) that “Even when Tzipi won more seats but Bibi became the prime minister we didn’t call him ‘illegitimate.’” Israelis and Palestinians are both reacting to the appointment of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner as his personal peace broker. Choking back skepticism, Palestinian officials welcomed the announcement saying the appointment of his son-in-law hopefully indicates President Trump’s commitment to the matter and determination to resolve the conflict. While some Israelis echo that sentiment, others find it fascinating that with all of the controversy swirling around the ascent of a new president, the Israeli prime minister might not be able to enjoy the so-called “partnership” many are predicting to be the Trump-Netanyahu relationship.