WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's overseas coverage nominees embrace two New Yorkers who’re anticipated to play key roles in shaping and implementing his agenda in Israel and the Center East.
Steven Witkoff, an actual property mogul with roots in Lengthy Island, was nominated by Trump to be particular envoy to the Center East final week after Trump named upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik as his decide for U.N. ambassador. Trump has additionally tapped former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state.
The frequent thread among the many nominees who should move Senate affirmation is a staunchly pro-Israel stance and a fierce loyalty to Trump. However overseas coverage consultants interviewed by Newsday stated it was unclear what method Trump and his new staff will soak up negotiating an finish to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the discharge of American hostages.
“These are individuals you’re feeling way more comfy with [Israeli Prime Minister] “Benjamin Netanyahu, when you could possibly argue, had been some members of the Biden administration,” stated Osamah Khalil, a professor of overseas relations at Syracuse College. “The query now’s, what does this imply on the bottom?”
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- President-elect Donald Trump's staff The overseas coverage nominees embrace two New Yorkers who’re anticipated to play key roles in shaping and implementing his agenda in Israel and the Center East.
- Steven Witkoff, an actual property mogul with roots in Lengthy Island, was named Trump's particular envoy to the Center East after Trump named upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik as his alternative for U.N. ambassador.
- International coverage consultants interviewed of Newsday stated it stays to be seen what method Trump and his new staff will soak up negotiating an finish to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the discharge of American hostages.
Khalil, who directs the college's worldwide relations program, stated that whereas Trump repeatedly vowed on the marketing campaign path to finish the conflict in Gaza, he by no means spelled out what which may imply.
“What does it imply when Netanyahu says to Trump, 'I would like one other month,' and yet one more month turns into two?” Khalil stated. “You don’t get the sensation that the people [Trump has nominated] will disagree with Netanyahu in some ways.
Throughout his first time period in workplace, Trump turned to his closest confidants to assist form U.S. coverage within the Center East. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, led diplomatic negotiations within the area and helped dealer the Abraham Accords, an settlement between Israel and Bahrain and Israel and the United Arab Emirates geared toward normalizing Israeli-Arab relations within the area.
Trump additionally named different shut allies to duties within the area, together with naming one in all his 2016 marketing campaign advisers, legal professional David M. Friedman, as ambassador to Israel and Trump Group lawyer Jason Greenblat as particular consultant for worldwide negotiations.
Steven Witkoff
By nominating Witkoff for a key diplomatic function, Trump is as soon as once more turning to a trusted ally to assist lead negotiations within the area.
“He wished a dealmaker and somebody who may give him a really feel for the way issues had been going there,” John Catsimatidis, a Manhattan billionaire and Trump ally, advised Newsday. Catsimatidis interviewed the president-elect on his WABC radio speak present “The Cats Roundtable.”
Witkoff has been a buddy of Trump's for many years, and each had been when a second assassination try towards Trump was foiled at Trump's West Palm Seaside resort in September. He testified on Trump's behalf final November in a civil trial in a state the place Trump was ultimately discovered responsible for felony tax fraud, and served as a key fundraiser for Trump this election cycle.
“Steve is a esteemed chief in enterprise and philanthropy who has made each mission and neighborhood he has been part of stronger and extra profitable,” Trump stated in an announcement. “Steve will probably be a relentless voice for PEACE and make us all proud.”
Witkoff was born within the Bronx however grew up in Baldwin Harbor and Outdated Westbury. He graduated from Hofstra College in 1980 and regulation faculty in 1983 earlier than serving on the college's Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2022, based on the college.
In August, he gave a prime-time speech on the Republican Nationwide Conference in Milwaukee, the place he revealed his friendship with Trump and recounted how the previous president supplied his help when Witkoff's son Andrew died of an oxycodone overdose in 2011.
“I do know this man very properly,” Witkoff stated. “President Trump is the kindest, most compassionate man I’ve ever met in my life.”
Witkoff's company workplace didn’t reply to an interview request from Newsday.
Elise Stefanik
Stefanik, who beforehand served as Home Convention chair within the Home GOP management, has additionally been an ardent Trump supporter since his first time period.
She has argued that the U.S. ought to rethink its help for the U.N. if the Palestinian Authority continues to push for Israel's membership standing to be revoked due to Israel's remedy of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Financial institution because the Oct. 7 Hamas assault.
“Should you take a look at her tenure within the Home not too long ago, one of many foremost points that she's been actually vocal about has been speak of anti-Semitism on school campuses,” stated Shawn Donahue, a political science professor on the College at Buffalo. “However she has additionally spoken about it on the United Nations, so I believe she is going to most likely be a reasonably robust critic of lots of people on the United Nations, notably round anti-Semitism and the Israel situation.”
As Biden prepares to go away workplace, he met on the White Home on Tuesday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the households of U.S. hostages, together with the mother and father of Omer Neutra of Plainview, an Israeli-American army member who was within the Israeli forces are serving the 4 American hostages who’re believed to nonetheless be residing in Gaza.
Whereas Herzog advised reporters that Biden is dedicated to “working till the final minute to realize targets which can be so vital to peace and stability,” consultants say the outgoing administration's window of alternative to succeed in a ceasefire settlement between Israel and Hamas is narrowing to barter the liberation of the remaining hostages.
“The Netanyahu authorities has little incentive to work with the Biden administration,” stated Jeffrey Friedman, a professor of presidency at Dartmouth College and creator of “The Commander-in-Chief Take a look at: Public Opinion and the Politics of Picture-Making in US”. International coverage.”
“Biden might attempt to stress Israel to signal a ceasefire throughout the subsequent two months,” Friedman stated. “However Trump would virtually actually ease that stress as soon as he enters the White Home. Biden’s affect, restricted because the begin of the conflict, is now vanishingly small.”
Laura Figueroa Hernandez is a White Home correspondent who beforehand lined New York Metropolis politics and authorities. She joined Newsday in 2012 after masking state and native politics for the Miami Herald.