During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump announced the signing of a massive arms deal worth $142 billion. The deal includes the supply of advanced and costly weaponry to Riyadh.
Clearly, this cannot be considered a positive development for Israel. Nevertheless, it is worth awaiting the details of the deal’s composition. If the agreement primarily involves naval vessels, state-of-the-art and expensive missile defence systems (such as the THAAD system, which has already been deployed in Israel), tanks, and similar equipment, then such a deal would pose a lesser threat to Israel and would primarily serve as a deterrent factor against Iran.
However, if the deal includes, for example, stealth fighter jets — low-observable aircraft currently possessed exclusively by Israel in the region — then it becomes a serious challenge. One can only hope that the U. S. Congress will block such a deal.
We continue to await further details...
Among other statements Trump made while in Saudi Arabia were:
1. “I will lift sanctions from Syria” — a step that also raises serious concern from the Israeli perspective.
2. “If Iran withdraws from the nuclear deal, we will strike them.”
3. “We will bring back other abductees from the Gaza Strip; the war must end” — that is, Trump is explicitly stating his desire to see an end to Israel’s military operation. This statement stands in stark contrast to the current reality, in which the entire country is anticipating the launch of a major offensive by the Israel Defence Forces, with the mobilisation of 60,000 reservists.
Retired Major General Yaakov Amidror said today: “Relying on Trump as a ‘Messiah’ is simply unrealistic.” And indeed, we harbour no illusions about Trump. Despite his sympathies towards Israel, his foremost interest is the economic gain of the United States, and Israel does not top his list of priorities.
Therefore, we wait, hope, and act in order to see — very soon — the revelation of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the King Moshiach! And this, in our view, is undoubtedly realistic!