As the US presidential elections approach, Republican candidate Donald Trump’s advisors on Israeli matters published a paper defining Trump’s policies on a number of issues relating to Israel.
“The unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel is based upon shared values of democracy, freedom of speech, respect for minorities, cherishing life, and the opportunity for all citizens to pursue their dreams.,” Trump advisors David Friedman and Jason Greenblatt wrote.
“The American people value our close friendship and alliance with Israel — culturally, religiously, and politically. While other nations have required U.S. troops to defend them, Israelis have always defended their own country by themselves and only ask for military equipment assistance and diplomatic support to do so. The U.S. does not need to nation-build in Israel or send troops to defend Israel.”
Within that context, the advisors noted that if Trump is elected, the US will ensure that Israel receives a maximum in needed military aid.
"The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the American and Israeli Governments is a good first step, but there is much more to be done," they wrote. "A Trump Administration will ensure that Israel receives maximum military, strategic and tactical cooperation from the United States, and the MOU will not limit the support that we give. Further, Congress will not be limited to give support greater than that provided by the MOU if it chooses to do so. Israel and the United States benefit tremendously from what each country brings to the table — the relationship is a two way street."
The advisors also addressed prospective Trump policy towards the UN Human Rights Council.
"The U.S. should cut off funds for the UN Human Rights Council, a body dominated by countries presently run by dictatorships that seems solely devoted to slandering the Jewish State," they wrote adding, "UNESCO’s attempt to disconnect the State of Israel from Jerusalem is a one-sided attempt to ignore Israel’s 3,000-year bond to its capital city, and is further evidence of the enormous anti-Israel bias of the United Nations."
With respect to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the advisors stressed that Trump would support direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs without preconditions, and will "oppose all Palestinian, European and other efforts to bypass direct negotiations between parties in favor of an imposed settlement."
"Any solutions imposed on Israel by outside parties including by the United Nations Security Council, should be opposed. We support Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself against terror attacks upon its people and against alternative forms of warfare being waged upon it legally, economically, culturally, and otherwise," they added.
With respect to the status of Jerusalem, a Trump administration "will recognize Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish state and Mr. Trump’s Administration will move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem," they wrote.