Israel/Palestine

As President Obama reminded us, elections have consequences.

I very much doubt Friedman is saying anything that isn't acceptable to Trump. Whether you like it or not, it is wholly within Trump's power as president to demonstrably change the course of American middle east policy once he takes office.

Moreover, a very strong pro-Israel stance is very unlikely to politically damage Trump with his base or even our ostensibly pro-Israel Democratic party. In fact, I believe the vast majority of Americans could care less about the details of where our embassy is in Israel or similar matters like the settlements, no matter how much J Street, Black Lives Matter or the far left objects. Moreover, there's so much else going on in the region that has absolutely nothing to do with Israel, to say nothing of the Sunni / Shia divide between the Gulf States and Iran, that as a result not only does much of the Arab world does not want to discuss the Palestinians at all, many regional powers like Saudi Arabia are quietly working with Israel against Iran as a mutual threat. The Arab states barely spoke up during the last gulf war, and the Palestinians haven't become more popular or important since then.

If we move our embassy or take a stronger pro-Israel stance under Trump, except to a fringe, it will be completely non-controversial in the USA, and while some Muslim states will complain, it will be all bark and no bite under the current circumstances. The Palestinians should of taken advantage of the Obama presidency, but then again, to quote Abba Eban, they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.