An Opportunity for a much Broader Peace Deal

The ceasefire deal struck earlier this week between Hamas and Israel does not mean an end to the war, but it will extend into the Trump Presidency, potentially giving Trump time to strike a more long term deal for peace in the region. Hopefully, such a plan will include the interests of Christians that live there.

Israel is currently lobbying the United States for several forms of protection: shielding its leaders from war crimes tribunals, ending criticism of Israel on American college campuses, and safeguarding against reprisal strikes from Iran. Additionally, Israel seeks U.S. naval assistance to restore its shipping lanes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. military also plays a role in securing Kurdish control over former Syrian and Iraqi oil fields, which supply Israel with discounted oil despite objections from Iraq. Some of this oil is re-exported for profit, making continued U.S. deployments in Syria essential to Israel’s interests. Moreover, Israel is pushing for the renewal of the standard annual U.S. commitments, including co-signing its long-term debt, providing billions in military aid, paying the military junta in Egypt to maintain the blockade of Gaza, and vetoing UN resolutions related to its expanding borders. These efforts require significant U.S. resources—deployment capacity, finances, credit, and international goodwill—to support Israel’s strategic objectives.

While the U.S. may have limited direct interests in the region beyond maintaining the flow of oil, many Americans, as Christians, are understandably concerned about the welfare of Christians in the Middle East. This is an area where Israel could have something to offer.

For example, Azerbaijan recently ethnically cleansed the Christian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region they had inhabited for centuries, killing over 3,500 Christians. This campaign was enabled by an arms deal with Israel, which provided advanced weaponry, including drones, heavy artillery, and rockets. These sales contributed to 69% of the total Azeri military budget during the arms race from 2020 to now. Additionally, Israel has a working relationship with al-Qaeda in Syria, (rebranded as HTS), achieving strategic gains such as capturing Mount Hermon without resistance. With tacit support from al- al Qaeda leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, Israel was also allowed to destroy the former Syrian government navy, armament factories, anti-aircraft systems, and other heavy weaponry in peace.

Because of their relationship with al Qaeda (HTS) and Azerbaijan, Israel could take meaningful steps to improve the lives of Christians in the Middle East while offering something to the Christians who are a majority in America.

First, it could offer safe passage to Syrian Christians persecuted by al-Qaeda, granting them temporary refuge. Israel shares a border with al Qaeda now, and may be the only nation that could broker that deal. While Israel has no law allowing Christian immigration outside of mixed marriage Jewish/Christian families, offering temporary asylum would give these individuals time to seek resettlement in countries open to Christians. Second, it could halt its role in arming the Azeris that are ethnic cleansing and murdering Armenian Christians. Given the extensive support Israel receives from Christian nations, such concessions appear both reasonable and achievable. I hope President Trump will push for a bigger deal than we expect, he holds a lot of cards.

John Maloney

This is an editorial and not the official position of the Martin County Republican Executive Committee