Article
Donald Trump’s Record on Israel
April 7, 2025
We cannot trust Donald Trump to stand with Israel. As his former National Security Advisor John Bolton said, “Trump’s support for Israel in the first term is not guaranteed in the second term, because Trump’s positions are made on the basis of what’s good for Donald Trump, not on some coherent theory of national security.”
Trump is demonstrating in his second term that he is not good for Israel. The following examples illustrate how Trump has betrayed Israel through his dangerous national security breaches, cuts to foreign aid, harmful economic policies, and misguided approach to foreign policy:
- Imposed Harsh Tariffs Against Israel: Trump imposed 17% tariffs on Israel one day after Israel unilaterally removed tariffs on American exports. All imports from Israel will be more expensive. These tariffs will deeply damage Israeli industries that rely on exports to the United States, including its wine and tech industries, and will make kosher products that Jewish Americans rely on more expensive. Despite Israel’s status as a valued ally, Trump imposed only 10% tariffs on Israel’s autocratic neighbors such as Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, and Morocco.
- Appointment of Steve Witkoff as Special Envoy on Iran: Trump appointed Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor and current Middle East envoy, to lead U.S. efforts on Iran. Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, admitted to being “duped” by Hamas in failed hostage negotiations, and indicated that Hamas should have a role in governing Gaza after the war.
- Cut $13 Million in Grants to Israeli Institutions: The State Department’s recent budget cuts included the elimination of nearly $13 million in grants allocated to Israeli universities and research institutions. These cuts predominantly affect agricultural research projects focusing on crop resilience and water management, as well as studies on desalination, wastewater treatment, and public health issues like combating bird flu.
- Endangered Israel Through Intelligence Leaks: A journalist was included by senior Trump administration officials on a group chat regarding imminent U.S. military action on the messaging app Signal, which is not approved for such communications. The chat included sensitive intelligence provided by Israel concerning military operations in Yemen, raising concerns among Israeli intelligence officials, who were allegedly furious at the leak and the mishandling of sensitive intelligence.
- Termination of the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program: The administration terminated the MERC program, which supported scientific collaboration between Israel and Arab states. With over 40 active grants, MERC facilitated joint research in agriculture, water management, public health, sustainability, and conservation, fostering direct cooperation between Israeli and Arab scientists.
- Cuts to the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA): The Trump administration paused and subsequently cut funding to MEPPA, a bipartisan initiative passed by Congress in 2020 to support joint Israeli-Palestinian economic development and people-to-people peacebuilding. Defunding MEPPA undermines efforts to reach peace and build coexistence and regional stability.
- Cut Aid to Jordan. Jordan, which has historically received approximately $1.72 billion annually in foreign assistance, is grappling with cuts of $770 million in economic aid from USAID. The stability of Jordan, with whom Israel has a peace agreement, is crucial for maintaining regional equilibrium and ensuring Israel’s security. Any destabilization resulting from aid reductions could lead to increased tensions and undermine collaborative efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in the Middle East.
- Amer Ghalib – Pro-BDS Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait: In March 2025, President Trump nominated Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, as ambassador to Kuwait. Ghalib has voiced support for the BDS movement; in May 2024, he backed a city council measure in Hamtramck endorsing BDS and pledging the city to divest from Israel and related entities.
- JD Vance’s Isolationist Views: JD Vance’s isolationist views run directly contrary to Israeli and American interests. He has said the U.S. might not support Israel in countering Iranian threats. He voted against the supplemental aid package to Israel in the Senate twice, each time delaying crucial aid in the aftermath of October 7.