Getty ImagesThe bar across from the US consulate in Jerusalem is called Deja Bu – a witty reference to something you’ve drank before.
And outside the gates of the American compound, Israel is eagerly awaiting Donald Trump’s second round.
“I am very pleased,” said Rafael Shore, a cleric who lives in Jerusalem’s Old City. “He understands the languages of the Middle East.
“Iran will think twice about doing anything. I think if Kamala is elected, there won’t be much concern in the Middle East about attacking America or Israel.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first to congratulate the newly elected president this morning. “Congratulations on the greatest comeback in history!” he tweeted.
Mr Netanyahu previously called Mr Trump “the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House”.
Trump previously won support here by scrapping the Iran nuclear deal that Israel opposed, brokering historic normalization deals with several Arab countries and reversing US policy for decades – and international consensus – by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the US, said Donald Trump’s first term in office was “exemplary” for Israel.
“Hopefully he will review that. [But] We must clearly understand who Donald Trump is and what he represents.”
First, he said, the former president “didn’t like wars” and considered them expensive. Trump has called on Israel to quickly end the war in Gaza.
Amb Oren said he is also “not a big fan” of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and opposes the desire of some Israeli leaders to annex parts of the region.
Both of those policies could put him in conflict with far-right parties in Netanyahu’s current ruling coalition, who have threatened to topple the government if the prime minister pursues policies they reject.
When asked to choose between the recent demands of his American ally and those of his coalition partners, Benjamin Netanyahu tends to choose his coalition.
As a result, friction with the current US President, Joe Biden, has increased sharply.
Michael Oren believes Netanyahu will need to take a different approach with the incoming president.
“If Donald Trump takes office in January and says, ‘Okay, you have a week to end this war,’ Netanyahu will have to respect that.”
In Gaza, where the Israeli army is fighting the Palestinian group Hamas, desperation has narrowed the focus of some residents to that single goal.
Trump “made some strong promises,” Ahmed said. “We hope he can help and bring peace.”
Ahmed’s wife and son were both killed in the war and his house was destroyed.
“Enough, we’re tired,” he said. “We hope Mr. Trump is strong enough to be able to resolve this issue with Israel.”
Getty ImagesMohammed Dawoud, who was displaced eight times during the Gaza conflict, said Trump’s victory means the war will soon end.
Another displaced resident, Mamdouh, said he didn’t care who won – he just wanted someone to help.
“There is no medicine, no hospital, no food,” he said. There is nothing left in Gaza.” “We want someone strong who can separate us and the Jews.”
In the occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority (PA) is headquartered, there is widespread skepticism about American influence, with many viewing American authorities from both sides of the political aisle as being on the wrong side. Israeli side.
Sabri Saidam, a senior member of the PA’s main faction, Fatah, said: “Ordinary solutions at the expense of the Palestinians or endless military support for Israel will be nothing more than a catalyst for future confrontations”.
“We want to see a new version of Trump, more like a Trump 2.0, who is serious about ending the war immediately and addressing the root causes of conflict in the Middle East.”
Recent polls show that more than two-thirds of Israelis want to see Trump return to the White House. But there are those here who are cautious about his unpredictability and approach.
“He will make the situation here more unstable and unsafe,” an Israeli woman said. “I don’t trust him to keep the peace. I honestly think he will only make the war worse.”
Former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren said he believes there will be “tremendous achievements ahead” if Israel cooperates with Trump, including the possibility of reaching a historic peace deal with Saudi Arabia and controlling Investigate Iran’s influence.
However, Netanyahu may also find it more difficult to navigate demands and compromises related to those regional goals.
Since Trump’s last term, the moderate voices surrounding both leaders have waned.
Many people in Israel view Trump’s first term with fond memories. But relationships can be completely different the second time around – and past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
