Trump’s Iran Deal Will Ultimately Benefit Israel, Editorial Argues

The article argues that the fragile agreement between Donald Trump’s administration and Iran is not the end of the story and will ultimately work out in Israel’s favor. It says the deal, concluded for the U.S. midterm elections, should lead Israelis to internalize the idea of "a people that dwells alone and is not reckoned among the nations," and even deepen Israel’s independence from countries such as the United States.

The writer says current feelings are mixed: Israel has won a major victory over its enemies on several fronts, but there is also a sense of deep disappointment on the diplomatic stage. Those blaming the government are dismissed as not worth engaging, because, the article says, the government and its leader did all they could and achieved major results despite attempts to sabotage them.

The piece turns to the weekly Torah portion, which discusses Balaam, described as an ancient sorcerer who wanted to curse Israel. Quoting the sages, the writer says "Balaam" can be read as "without a people," and argues that someone detached from the broader national and eternal context sees only weakness and therefore curses. By contrast, Balaam was forced to bless instead.

The article defines blessing as the act of grafting a branch into the ground so it can take root and grow into a new tree, saying this reflects a broad vision focused on the eternal and the larger picture. It concludes that Jewish and world history are built on imperfect moves, and that the current war, despite its flaws, has advanced the Jewish people "by light years" compared with the prewar situation. Claims that Israel is now worse off than before the war are described as foolish at best and ungrateful at worst, and the article ends by urging readers to stop cursing and start blessing, seeing the moment through the perspective of Torah rather than media.