With elections wrapping up in Hungary and with the midterm elections coming up in November, as well as Israel’s elections seemingly here already, we must consider our steps on the international stage. President Donald Trump has already been very much involved in internal affairs of the state, while serving as both a wartime ally as well as an unexpected fixture in issues threatening our ability to determine the future of the country.
During the Hungary elections, the Israeli Right and Left expressed explicit support for one side or another, including elected officials and political activists. Also, Trump had more than hinted at granting financial support to Hungary, but only if Viktor Orbán won the election. This pledge came as Orbán was behind in the polls during the first real electoral challenge he has faced in years.
Involvement in US politics
The Israeli government clearly supported the candidacy of Trump as he battled Kamala Harris for the presidency, and its leaders did not shy away from admitting to that publicly. This is a shift from the longstanding tradition of staying neutral above the surface, and has thus tied the fate of the State of Israel to a foreign political party. It was a gamble that could have potentially backfired. It did not, or at least not yet.
When dealing with foreign entities, and fragile ones at that, it is crucial to constantly look forward with an understanding that the pendulum can swing in a different direction at any given time, and that the results may be extreme. It is dangerous for any country to lean directly on a certain political party or support its political leaders too valiantly, while leaving very little space to object to certain initiatives when needed.
Determining its own path
Israel has found itself now for the second time in a ceasefire with Iran after its people were forced to seek shelter from ballistic missiles for over a month. Thousands more of its northern residents remain in danger from Iran-backed Hezbollah fire.
Israel’s ability to determine its own path forward is crucial for its future development, stability, and security. Choosing sides publicly limits those ambitions instead of leveraging our abilities on the international stage. The last gamble on a European nation in a turbulent time may be one we learn to regret.
It should serve as a cautionary tale for future involvement that, if forced upon us, we would have vehemently objected to. Israel continues to stand strong but is undoubtedly responsible for its own security. In order to guarantee that, we must, for the greater good of the country, stay in our own lane.
The writer is a media and foreign affairs adviser.