At a press conference with Trump and Netanyahu that just ended, Trump said he doesn't want Jewish settlements in Gaza, but also suggested that the evacuation of the Palestinian population would be permanent.

For Israelis these are shocking remarks coming from a US president, and signal a real paradigm shift in a failed peace process that has long been waiting for someone to think "outside the box."

Oh, and earlier Trump signed an executive order barring any further American funding of UNRWA, the UN agency that became a front for Hamas.

This day thus far couldn't have been any better for Israel. Sure, Trump is a transactional guy and will no doubt require Israel pay a price for this huge shift in support, but most Israelis are thrilled to again be dealing with a US administration that "gets them."

‘DAY AFTER’ SOLVED? Trump says America will “take over the Gaza Strip” and take responsibility for clearing it out and rebuilding.

REMINDER: Right-wing Israeli politicians made similar proposals in the early days of the war, in particular the removal of the Gaza population.

They were ridiculed as delusional.

Now Trump has made their “fantasy” a political reality.

Opposition leader Benny Gantz in response to President Trump's remarks:

"President Trump has shown, and not for the first time, that he is a true friend of Israel and will continue to stand by it on issues important to strengthening its security.

"In his remarks, he presented creative, original and interesting thinking, which must be examined alongside the realization of the goals of the war, and giving priority to the return of all the abductees."

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Again, many of the proposals raised by Trump mirror those put forward by right-wing lawmakers like Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Only, when Ben-Gvir proposed them, Gantz and everyone else called him a "messianic" fool.

But from Trump's lips they are the thoughtful words of a friend, and "creative, original" thinking on how to manage the conflict.

NETANYAHU: The Bible says that the people of Israel shall rise like lions, and boy did we rise. Today, the roar of the lion of Judah is heard loudly throughout the Middle East.

Everyone worries that Donald Trump's "gifts" might come with a high price tag.

But hasn't Israel already been paying the price for decades, while getting far too little in return?

👉 More on the topic here

The leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Arie Deri, on President Trump:

"You act as God's messenger to the Jewish people and achieve great success thanks to your steadfast support of the people of Israel against all its enemies."