### Trump-Endorsed Appointment Unsettles US-Israel Relations Amid Gaza Conflict

In a surprising turn of events following recent election outcomes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Yechiel Leiter as Israel's new ambassador to the United States. This decision underscores a possible alignment between Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle Eastern dynamics.

Leiter's appointment has raised eyebrows due to his deep involvement in Israel's settler movement. Known for his advocacy of the formal annexation of the West Bank, Leiter's stance resonates with Netanyahu's vision, diverging sharply from the recent U.S. administration's approach. Trump and Netanyahu's recent communications reportedly played a significant role in Leiter’s selection, pointing to a green light from the former president.

Leiter, who has no record of violent activities, has a past marked by his association with Rabbi Meir Kahane’s Jewish Defense League in the United States. This group, initially established to combat antisemitism, eventually adopted radical positions calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from Israel. Kahane faced numerous arrests during his time in Israel and was assassinated in Brooklyn in 1990.

In Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Leiter was described as a "thoughtful and respected writer with a deep understanding of American politics." However, the article also highlighted Netanyahu's clear signal of prioritizing annexation over normalization efforts, particularly with U.S. support anticipated from the Trump camp.

Trump's position regarding the Gaza conflict remains unchanged. He has suggested Israel should rapidly conclude the hostilities in Gaza, reminiscent of Nixon’s approach to the Vietnam War. During his conversations with Muslim leaders in Michigan, Trump’s purported peace strategy seemed akin to a forceful military solution rather than negotiation, a sentiment echoed by his campaign trail remarks.

The recent election saw an interesting shift among Muslim American voters. Despite Trump’s staunchly pro-Israel stance, an exit poll indicated that 21 percent of Muslim voters backed him, compared to only 20 percent for Vice President Kamala Harris. Jill Stein, the protest candidate, secured 53 percent of the Muslim vote. In Michigan, this trend was even more pronounced, contributing to the Democrats losing the state.

Additionally, the geopolitical implications of Trump’s reemergence are significant. Netanyahu and Trump’s mutual understanding regarding Iran appears to be a continuation of their first-term strategy. Iran’s recent missile attacks on Israel prompted a scaled response from Netanyahu. While another conflict looms, the Ayatollah Khamenei has threatened retaliation, which even Biden indicated he might not restrain Israel from pursuing.

Netanyahu’s ambitions extend to eliminating Hamas in Gaza, a goal consistent with Trump's more robust military support in the region. At the same time, leaders in Qatar have signaled a potential shift by expelling Hamas spokespersons from Doha, though the impact on Hamas’ actions remains uncertain.

The broader implications of Trump’s influence are yet to unfold fully. The former president’s push for Israeli-Arab normalization, particularly with Saudi Arabia, hinges on the resolution of the Gaza conflict and progress toward a Palestinian state—objectives Netanyahu vehemently opposes. As the situation evolves, Trump's approach to “maximum pressure” on Iran and his potential support for military interventions could further strain an already volatile Middle Eastern landscape.