Ron Dermer Warns Jerusalem Must Prepare for US Leadership Shifts
Former Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer warned that Jerusalem must prepare for future US leaders who may not favor Israel, emphasizing that bilateral ties rely on shared security and tech interests.
Amid the US midterm elections and growing concerns in Jerusalem over a potential shift in American foreign policy as President Donald Trump's term concludes in two years, former Strategic Affairs Minister and former Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer has outlined his vision for the future of bilateral relations.
Sharing a video message on his X account, Dermer addressed the prospect of a less friendly administration entering the White House. "Let's be realistic: one day, a president will be elected in the United States who does not love Israel," Dermer stated. "This could happen in two years, in six years, or in ten years. The question is not if it will happen, but how we deal with such a situation."
According to the former ambassador, Israel's response to potential hostility from the White House lies not in appeasement, but in unequivocally demonstrating how supporting Israel serves vital American national interests.
"What needs to happen in such a scenario is for the CIA Director to walk into the Oval Office and tell the president: 'I know you don't like those Israelis, but if we sever ties with the Mossad, it will endanger the lives of many Americans,'" Dermer explained, adding that the same principle applies to the technological frontier: "Similarly, the AI chief will have to walk in and say: 'If we cut ties with Israel, we are simply handing the future over to China.'"
Dermer emphasized that a resolute Israeli leadership will always know how to prove to Washington that standing by Israel directly reinforces American security and economic strength. "I can deal with an anti-Israel president in the Oval Office, because all I have to do is present the arguments and dismantle the doubts," Dermer concluded. "What can't I deal with? An anti-American president in the Oval Office. But I have news for you — that won't just be Israel's problem, it will be an existential problem for you. Make sure to elect a president who loves America, and we will know how to overcome any challenge."
