Trump's Knesset
An Israel-focused Who's Who of Trump's Cabinet Picks: The Weekly Conquest Week of 11.10.24 – 11.16.24
Welcome to the ZioKnight
Week of November 10, 2024
7-Year-Old Me
Being off in college for three years, my nostalgic father sends me my childhood pictures every once in a while. I guess I was always a ZioKnight!
Sunday 11.10
Shortly before Election Day, the Biden administration continued to waive sanctions against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for the “pay-to-slay” program, which pays “martyred” terrorists’ families lifetime pensions.
In 2018, the Taylor Force Act banned U.S. aid to the PA until it ended the “pay-to-slay” payments. Since 2019, presidential administrations have been evading the sanctions. Despite evidence from the State Department that the programs continued, the administration issued a 180-day waiver allowing aid payments to the PA. [1][2]
Monday 11.11
Florida Senator Marco Rubio
Previously known by Trump as “Little Marco,” Florida Senator Marco Rubio will soon be his Secretary of State if confirmed by the Senate. He is a pro-Israel stalwart who has consistently led legislation bolstering the US-Israel relationship. He has a deep understanding of Israel’s place in the region where he sees the US and Jewish State’s interests to almost entirely overlap.
Florida Representative Mike Waltz
Not to be confused with Tim Walz, Trump nominated Mike Waltz as his National Security Advisor. He is a Green Beret, former Pentagon official, ex-CEO of a defense firm, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, and member of the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees. He is a foreign policy hawk with a clear compass for right and wrong in military aggression. He understands Israel’s military needs and Iran’s malignity. He supports peace by strength, especially against Iran.
New York Representative Elise Stephanik
Best known for her scathing questions to Columbia, Harvard, and MIT presidents, Trump nominated Rep. Stephanik to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She’s not a big fan of the body she will work in, having said, “American taxpayers have no interest in continuing to fund an organization that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have allowed to rot with antisemitism.”
As her fame dictates, her #1 objective in the role may very well be to defend Israel. She hopes to emphasize Israel’s right to self-defense, reaffirm the status of her borders, and punish her enemies. We can expect some viral videos from the General Assembly over the next four years. [3][4][5]
Tuesday 11.12
Veteran and Fox News Host, Pete Hegseth
A Fox News host may not sound like a fitting pick for Secretary of Defense, but there is more to Hegseth than what meets the eye. He studied politics at Princeton and Harvard, is a two-time Bronze Star recipient, conservative and veteran activist, served in Iran, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, advised Trump in his first term, and was a Policy Specialist at the Manhattan Institute (a think tank).
Hegseth, expressing that he has no love for Iran, wouldn’t have an issue living in a world without their nuclear, energy, and weapon production industries. As an evangelical Christian and staunch supporter of Western Democracy, his support for Israel runs deep.
Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee
For the first time in 20 years, a non-Jew has been selected for Ambassador to Israel, but that shouldn’t be a cause for concern with Huckabee unless one thinks that he’s too pro-Israel. He is a passionate Christian Zionist with a history of supporting settlement expansion, preventing Iranian nuclear proliferation, and bolstering the education of U.S. youth about Israel. The Israeli far-right is celebrating his appointment. [6][7]
Wednesday 11.13
Florida Representative Matt Gaetz
Trump will nominate the embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz as his Attorney General. Gaetz likely has a rocky road toward nomination due in part to his ethically dubious and antisemitic history as the biggest critic of the antisemitism awareness act, a friend of holocaust deniers, and a proponent of “replacement theory.” Trump’s announcement was met with uneasiness among Republican lawmakers and disappointment by Jewish leaders. [9][10]
Thursday 11.14
Former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
Trump’s selection of former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence sent shock waves through the pro-Israel hawkish establishment for her confusing past on Israel.
She is chummy with anti-Israel leaders, and her idea about the U.S.’ foreign policy position is confusing. It is difficult to get a read on what her position will mean for Israel. [11][12]
Friday 11.15
I was talking to a friend this week who recounted that he didn’t vote for Trump, rather he voted for Jared Kushner. He may be happy to read this column. CNN reported that Kushner will likely play a pivotal role in the Trump Administration’s Middle East policy.
Although he probably won’t have an official role, pundits predict that he will informally leverage his robust regional relationships to advance the Abraham Accords. [13]
Saturday 11.16
We keep surmising whether or not Israel will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. Turns out they already did! In October, Israel gathered enough evidence to confirm that Iran was conducting nuclear research in its Parchin facility.
A U.S. official reflected on the strike saying that the “strike was a not-so-subtle message that the Israelis have significant insight into the Iranian system even when it comes to things that were kept top secret and known to a very small group of people in the Iranian government.” [14]