Hibbat Zion was a movement; it was an idea, it was a proto-Zionist vision and cause probably initiated by Dr. Leo Pinsker. His ideas predated Theodor Herzl. In fact, many of Pinsker’s fundamental concepts found their way into the works of Herzl, the acknowledged father of Zionism. The movement, which began in the early 1880’s, held its first conference in Katowice in 1884.
Hovevei Zion were clubs and groups of people who followed the idea of Hibbat Zion. They were lovers of Zion.
The movement was one of the founding forces that led to Zionism and, 70 years later, in 1948, the founding of the State of Israel. More than a mere movement, Hibbat Zion was a revolution – a revolution based on the premise that Jews should reclaim their destiny in their ancestral homeland.
Today, many Lovers of Israel have been thrown into a world of worry by US President Donald Trump and his commitment to get Iran to sign an agreement. Lovers of Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish in the United States, are anxious and befuddled – not a comfortable position to be in - because of the little bits of information doled out on the Iranian deal.
Until now they were certain that Trump “had Israel’s back.” Trump himself used that very expression countless times.
Making sense of how this president of the United States acts and what he really thinks deep down has never been easy. The easiest response is to interpret Trump as endangering Israel and empowering Iran.
Trump is driven by a mix of self-interest, a highly sophisticated instinct for deal-making, and the fear of getting trapped in a protracted conflict. I am convinced that he does not believe that Iran has changed and that they will either gleefully or compliantly fulfill the deal they profess to accept.
If anything, he probably already knows Iran will not play by the rules and adhere to the game plan. Actually, he may even expect and silently hope that the Persian Regime goes back on the deal.
Trump is looking for a temporary pause. The pause is essential. It jump-started the markets, and it got the price of crude oil down and got it down fast. The president cum deal maker takes this as clear evidence that his plan is working, particularly – and this is important – in the short term.
Lashing out at allies, especially Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and calling on Vice President JD Vance to act as a foil to poke at Israeli leadership is a set-up for his future negotiations.
US, Israel relationship still strong
There has not been a breakdown or a breakup between Israel and the United States. Their relationship is still strong. They can and will disagree. Trump wants a deal, and Bibi wants security – and the two are not exclusive of each other. Trump likes to posture.
Trump gets frustrated with those who disagree with him. Especially if they disagree in public. Even more so if they disagree and get national and world coverage. He knows the power of the media and the impressions they create.
One of the most important outcomes of his public spat with Israel is that the Arab and Muslim world sees that Trump does not automatically side with Israel. This spat builds Trump’s credibility. And then he switches things up. He uses Vance as the attack dog, thereby allowing for a good cop/bad cop scenario. Vance attacks Israel, and Trump compliments Netanyahu.
For Lovers of Zion, it feels like a betrayal and even a catastrophic capitulation to Iran. But much as Iran does not play by the rules, Trump does not play by the rules. They make up the rules as they go along.
Trump’s issue with the Israeli prime minister with regard to Lebanon is not about policy. It is not about security. It is a question of timing and leverage. Israel wants to exert maximum leverage now. Trump wants a signed deal with Iran. And to get that, Israel must halt their military activity in Lebanon. Trump is hoping to create a system of incremental progress with Iran, not an all-or-nothing game.
Lovers of Zion must learn to understand Donald Trump. He does not and will never see his plan of action as a mistake. He does not offer apologies. His priorities shift. While Israel’s security is still important to the White House, other things have temporarily slipped into higher priority. And then they will shift back.
The asymmetry in the Iran agreement and meetings is impossible to ignore, and that’s intentional. It is part of Trump’s strategy. Trump has real leverage in the asymmetry; Iran has some and Netanyahu has none. To Trump, the deal is clear – no nukes, no endless war. Netanyahu knows that, and that is why, as of this writing, the prime minister has not publicly criticized the president.
Israel has not lost their friend in the White House. Trump is trying something new in order to break a years-long cycle and, he hopes, change the paradigm. There are still many opportunities to torpedo this deal. Before too long, this deal will be blown out of the water, and it will begin with the Strait of Hormuz.
The writer is a columnist and a social and political commentator. Watch his TV show Thinking Out Loud on JBS.