For many around the world it was a rude awakening. Donald Trump is a President few expected and many fear: a man notorious for sexism, disregard for the rule of law and racism, including anti-semitism, now in one of the world’s most powerful offices.
In Jerusalem, however, the news appears to have gone down a little better. Nir Barkat, the city’s Mayor, this morning sent a cheerful congratulations to the new President elect within hours of his victory becoming clear.
“I am certain you will lead the American people with dignity towards a bright future,” he wrote, calling Trump a “dedicated friend of Jerusalem”.
“I am confident that you will continue to empower out city by reaffirming its sovereignty and moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem”, he wrote.
Mazal tov from #Jerusalem, Mr. President! @realDonaldTrump #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/L05W8HFNnd
— Mayor Nir Barkat (@NirBarkat) 9 November 2016
In September, Trump told crowds in Jerusalem that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.
The Israeli state now regards Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital, but Palestinians also claim parts of the city as their own. As a result it is a disputed city in international eyes, and any posturing over Israeli sovereignty over the city is politically highly contentious. Hillary Clinton, despite her strong support for Israel, had refrained from taking a strong stance on the issue and the State Department opposed moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
The response from Israeli commentators to Trump’s win, however, was mixed.
Some were positive, believing his strategy would means significant changes for Israel. Naftali Benett, the Israeli Education Minister, said the Presidency would mean the end of Palestinian aspirations for a state.
Israeli Education Minister Bennett: "Trump's victory is an opporutnity for Israel to immediately retract the notion of a Palestinian state."
— Eylon Aslan-Levy (@EylonALevy) 9 November 2016
Others were horrified. Trump’s campaign, after all, brought some alarming anti-semitism out of the woodwork in the USA: in the last days of the campaign a supporter was seen proudly chanting “Jew-S-A” at reporters and online communities in favour of Trump are notorious for anti-semitic content.
Trump rolls out 2-minute, highly produced anti-Semitic closing ad https://t.co/IYoAEb0C0r pic.twitter.com/cB5nRQN69v
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) 6 November 2016
For some, however, the possibility that Trump was bad for Americans promised to be good for Israel – from the perspective of new arrivals, at least.
If U were threatening 2 move 2 #Israel if @realDonaldTrump wins, here's your application 2 make Israel even greater: https://t.co/yUb3jKFza7
— Gil Hoffman (@Gil_Hoffman) 9 November 2016
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