Trump Promises ‘Unbreakable’ Bond With Israel — Even As He Looks Inward

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By Nathan Guttman March 1, 2017

While his speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday focused primarily on laying out his domestic and economic vision, President Trump also reiterated an isolationist approach that will guide America’s relations with the world.

“My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America,” Trump said. “But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict — not more.”

Signaling his intention to cut U.S. foreign aid and overseas investments, Trump took issue specifically with American dollars being spent in the Middle East.

The Trump administration has indicated it will not cut foreign assistance to Israel, one of America’s largest recipients of aid in the region. In his speech, Trump vowed to “reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance” with Israel and noted his administration’s decision to impose new sanctions on companies and individuals involved in Iran ballistic missile program.

Trump did not make any reference in his speech to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process or to any broader Middle East policy.

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]

Nathan Guttman, staff writer, was the Forward’s Washington bureau chief. He joined the staff in 2006 after serving for five years as Washington correspondent for the Israeli dailies Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post. In Israel, he was the features editor for Ha’aretz and chief editor of Channel 1 TV evening news. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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